resource utilization in space

Resource utilization in space refers to effectively using materials and energy found in space to support missions and sustain human life. This includes mining asteroids for metals, extracting water from lunar ice, and using solar power for energy. Efficient resource use reduces the need to transport everything from Earth, saving costs and making long-term space travel and habitation more viable. This practice, known as in-situ resource utilization (ISRU), is crucial for future exploration, as it allows astronauts to live and work in space more sustainably and supports deeper missions into our solar system.