SOURCE
A molten salt process that extracts silicon and oxygen directly from planetary soil, as raw material for power equipment, parts and breathing air.
Why it matters
Making power equipment such as solar panels on the Moon from local silicon could supply a base without launching every part from Earth.
How the technology works
SOURCE adapts molten salt electrolysis for space: regolith is processed in molten salt with electric current to separate silicon and oxygen. Maana's related ACME concept burns reactants made from regolith to keep payloads warm through the lunar night.
Sources
Updated Oct 22, 2026 · How we source facts · Suggest a correction