Current Status of the Technical Development for Recover Mineral Resources on the Moon

Abstract

With the discovery of water ice, the development of giant space observation facilities, private capital participation, exploration, and utilization of mineral resources on the moon became a reality. Hence, Korea is planning to explore the moon, and will begin by sending an orbiter. It is widely accepted that the lunar regolith contains valuable minerals and metals. Furthermore, it has been proved that processing and smelting of mineral resources might be possible through some process. By modifying and combining these technologies suitably, it will be possible to recover the resources on the moon, such as rare earth elements, ilmenite, and metal iron. To achieve this ultimate purpose, a precise reproduction of the simulant lunar regolith should be prioritized in Korea. Development of suitable mineral processing and smelting techniques by using the simulant should be conducted in laboratories for reproducing the atmospheric environment of the moon.