Lunar ice-to-oxygen plant
A planned plant at the Moon's south pole that would melt ice out of lunar soil, split the water, and store liquid oxygen to sell as rocket propellant.
Why it matters
Oxygen is most of the weight of rocket propellant. Producing it on the Moon could let landers and Starship-class vehicles refuel there instead of carrying everything from Earth.
How the technology works
Rovers deliver icy regolith to a thermal plant that heats it to release water, splits the water into hydrogen and oxygen, and liquefies the oxygen. Power would come from a large solar tower, about the size of a basketball court.
Starpath has said its target is about 1,000 tons of liquid oxygen a year, with a first demonstration plant producing about 100 tons a year.
Sources
Updated Oct 21, 2026 · How we source facts · Suggest a correction