ISRU (In-Situ Resource Utilization)

In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) refers to the practice of using materials and resources found in a specific environment, like another planet or lunar surface, to support human activities or missions. Instead of bringing everything from Earth, ISRU allows astronauts to utilize local resources, such as water, minerals, or gases. For example, on Mars, ISRU could enable the extraction of water from ice or produce oxygen from carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. This approach can reduce costs, enhance sustainability, and increase the feasibility of long-term exploration and colonization efforts in space.