Clever Geek Handbook

ISRU Space Age Begins

The scary-looking abbreviation ISRU stands for In-Situ Resource Utilization. Maybe the abbreviation IMR will become familiar in Russian, or maybe not. It means the extraction and production of the necessary resources, fuel, building materials, water and oxygen for people, from local - lunar, Martian or asteroid materials, instead of bringing everything from Earth. In 2021, the first technology demonstrator successfully launched on Mars, new missions are planned, and a variety of prototypes are being tested on Earth.





Construction on the Moon using the RASSOR Rover-Excavator-Dump Truck as presented by a NASA artist
Construction on the Moon using the RASSOR Rover-Excavator-Dump Truck as presented by a NASA artist

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MOXIE Cutaway, NASA Animation
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On the left is the original regolith, on the right after processing. Metallic luster means reduction of metal oxides. Photo by ESA
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