regolith processing

Regolith processing involves extracting useful materials from the layer of loose, fragmented rock and dust covering planetary surfaces like the Moon or Mars. This process includes collecting the regolith and then separating valuable components such as water, metals, or oxygen through techniques like heating, chemical treatments, or mechanical sorting. The goal is to produce resources needed for sustaining human presence or mission operations, reducing the need to bring supplies from Earth. Efficient regolith processing is essential for sustainable space exploration and in-situ resource utilization, making long-term missions more feasible and cost-effective.