
lunar resource utilization
Lunar resource utilization involves extracting and using materials from the Moon to support space exploration and sustainability. This includes harvesting water ice from shadowed craters, which can be turned into drinking water, breathable air, or split into hydrogen and oxygen for rocket fuel. The Moon also contains minerals and metals that could be useful for building structures or manufacturing on-site, reducing the need to send supplies from Earth. By utilizing lunar resources, missions can become more independent, cost-effective, and longer-lasting, paving the way for deeper space exploration and potential lunar settlements.