Imagining sustainable human ecosystems with power-to-x in-situ resource utilisation technology

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Baldry ◽  
Nicholas Gurieff ◽  
Declan Keogh
Keyword(s):  
Resource Utilisation ◽  
Human Ecosystems

scholarly journals Imagining Sustainable Human Ecosystems with Power-to-x in-situ Resource Utilisation Technology

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Baldry ◽  
Nicholas Gurieff ◽  
Declan Keogh
Keyword(s):  
Global Economy ◽  
Life Support ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Integrated System ◽  
Resource Utilisation ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Hydrogen Water ◽  
Long Duration ◽  
Human Ecosystems

Extensive in-situ resource utilisation (ISRU) will be essential to enable long-duration stays on Luna and Mars and reduce reliance on resupply from Earth. Early development of ISRU technologies has focused on standalone capabilities for specific targets related to life support and ascent propellant. An unexplored opportunity remains for greatly expanding the scope of materials that can be supplied by ISRU, and for integrating various technology platforms into a larger system. Recent advances in power-to-X technology aimed at decarbonising the global economy have made it possible to drive key chemical processes using electricity with small-scale, modular reactor. This paper proposes a vision for an integrated system of ISRU processes based on power-to-X technology to produce oxygen, hydrogen, water, methane, polymers, metal alloys, and synthetic fertilisers, using Martian regolith, atmosphere, and ice. A ‘building block’ strategy is adopted to convert raw materials into versatile intermediaries, which can then be combined to form essential products. A wider range of raw materials are available on Mars compared to Luna, suggesting greater opportunity for ISRU deployment to compensate for the greater time and cost requirements for a Mars resupply mission.

scholarly journals Choice of Microbial System for In-Situ Resource Utilization on Mars

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nils Jonathan Helmuth Averesch
Keyword(s):  
Resource Utilisation ◽  
Target Compound ◽  
Microbial Cell Factories ◽  
Cell Factories ◽  
Subsequent Conversion ◽  
Microbial System ◽  
Chemical Products ◽  
High Level ◽  
Microbial Systems

Various microbial systems have been explored for their applicability to in-situ resource utilisation (ISRU) on Mars and suitability to leverage Martian resources and convert them into useful chemical products. Considering only fully bio-based solutions, two approaches can be distinguished, which comes down to the form of carbon that is being utilized: (a) the deployment of specialised species that can directly convert inorganic carbon (atmospheric CO2) into a target compound or (b) a two-step process that relies on independent fixation of carbon and the subsequent conversion of biomass and/or complex substrates into a target compound. Due to the great variety of microbial metabolism, especially in conjunction with chemical support-processes, a definite classification is often difficult. This can be expanded to the forms of nitrogen and energy that are available as input for a biomanufacturing platform. To provide a perspective on microbial cell factories that may be suitable for Space Systems Bioengineering, a high-level comparison of different approaches is conducted, specifically regarding advantages that may help to extend an early human foothold on the red planet.

scholarly journals Assessing extraterrestrial regolith material simulants for in-situ resource utilisation based 3D printing

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 54-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Athanasios Goulas ◽  
Jon G.P. Binner ◽  
Russell A. Harris ◽  
Ross J. Friel
Keyword(s):  
3D Printing ◽  
Resource Utilisation

scholarly journals Leveraging In-Situ Resources for Lunar Base Construction

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex A Ellery
Keyword(s):  
Distribution System ◽  
Water System ◽  
Heating System ◽  
Resource Utilisation ◽  
3D Print ◽  
Local Resources ◽  
Electrical Distribution ◽  
Drinking Water System ◽  
Bearing Structure

We explore the limits of in-situ resource utilisation (ISRU) on the Moon to maximise living off the land by building lunar bases from in-situ material. We adopt the philosophy of indigenous peoples who excelled in sustainability. We are interested in leveraging lunar resources to manufacture an entire lunar base that is fully sustainable and minimises supplies required from Earth. A range of metals, ceramics and volatiles can be extracted from lunar minerals to support construction of a lunar base that include structure, piping and electrical distribution system. To 3D print a lunar base, we must 3D print the load-bearing structure, electrical distribution system, water-based heating system, drinking water system, air system and orbital transport system from in-situ resources. We also address the manufacture of the interior of the lunar base from local resources. The majority of systems constituting a lunar base can be manufactured from in-situ resources.

PRO-ACT - Planetary Robots Deployed for Assembly and Construction of Future Lunar ISRU and Supporting Infrastructures

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luís Lopes ◽  
Shashank Govindaraj ◽  
Balazs Bodo ◽  
Kevin Picton ◽  
Joseph Purnell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
3D Printing ◽  
Lunar Regolith ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Plant Size ◽  
Resource Utilisation ◽  
The Moon ◽  
Robot System ◽  
Horizon 2020 ◽  
Multi Robot

<p>PRO-ACT (Horizon 2020; https://www.h2020-pro-act.eu/) studies the establishment of a lunar base with the support of a mobile robotic platform formed by three distinct robots, with different features, based on their cooperation and manipulation capabilities. This vision will provide tools in preparation of the commercial exploitation of in-situ resources by assembling an ISRU (In-Situ Resource Utilisation) system, essential for a future human settlement at the Moon. PRO-ACT’s vision of ISRU focuses on the extraction of oxygen from lunar regolith to serve as the oxidizer for fuel and artificial atmosphere generation within habitats and 3D printing of relevant structures using regolith for construction purposes – including tiles for roads and elements for shelters. The mineral ilmenite, found in lunar rocks, is the perfect target for the ISRU platform as it contains oxygen, iron and titanium as construction materials.</p><p>The main goal of PRO-ACT is to implement and demonstrate the cooperative capabilities of the multi-robot system in a Moon alike environment that will be replicated at two sites, indoors and outdoors, in Europe. For this purpose, the PRO-ACT project (OG11) will also rely on the outcomes of previous space-related projects from the PERASPERA project and its Operational Grants. Therefore, PRO-ACT will: 1) Review, extend and integrate previous OGs outcomes as part of a comprehensive multi-robot system, in a Moon construction scenario, 2) Develop robust cooperation capabilities allowing joint interventions (navigation in close vicinity and joint manipulation actions) in mixed structured/unstructured environment, 3) Make the capabilities available within a CREW module, 4) Customize existing mobile robotic platforms and prepare facilities to perform tests and demonstrations in a selection of relevant scenarios of Moon construction activities (ISRU capabilities establishment; preparing dust mitigation surfaces; assembling and deploying a gantry/3D printer).</p><p>PRO-ACT will show what robotic cooperation can achieve and will demonstrate the effectiveness of collaborative mission planning, and manipulation and assembly of a supporting infrastructure. Cooperative scenarios will be based on: 1) fine scale surveying of areas prior to construction work, 2) site clearing by grading stones and debris, 3) unloading equipment/construction elements and transporting them to the assembly sites, 4) assembly of specific modular components of an ISRU plant, 5) assisting partial assembly and mobility of a gantry, 6) 3D printing of modular building elements from pseudo-regolith simulant, and 7) sample assembly of printed elements to construct sections of storage, habitation spaces or dust mitigation surfaces. Following this scenario, the key robotic elements, (the mobile rover IBIS, the six-legged walking robot Mantis and a gantry) are outlined according to the corresponding mission architecture. The ISRU plant size is representative of a future lunar mission, with grasping points to assist robotic manipulation capabilities and considering reduced lunar gravity.</p><p>The target of this work is to reach a Technology Readiness Level of TRL 4/5 (depending on scenarios subparts) with this approach, to enable exploration of the Moon environment in the next decade. This will be achieved and proven with the performance of the required tests and demonstrations in Lunar analogues, in order to validate the newly developed capabilities.</p>

Analogue lunar research for commercial exploitation of in-situ resources and planetary exploration - Applications in the PRO-ACT project

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luís Lopes ◽  
Shashank Govindaraj ◽  
Wiebke Brinkmann ◽  
Simon Lacroix ◽  
Jakub Stelmachowski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Space Exploration ◽  
Lunar Regolith ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Planetary Exploration ◽  
Robotic Systems ◽  
Resource Utilisation ◽  
Test Field ◽  
Functional Tests ◽  
Commercial Exploitation

<p>The PRO-ACT project studies, designs and develops the establishment of a lunar base with the support of a multi-robotic platform, entailing different features, tasks and capabilities. The activities are inline with the preparation of the commercial exploitation of in-situ resources and planetary exploration research by assembling an ISRU (In-Situ Resource Utilisation) system tested in a lunar analogue setting. The vision of PRO-ACT is based on the extraction of oxygen from lunar regolith which serves as oxidizer for fuel and artificial atmosphere generation for habitats and 3D printing of relevant structures using regolith for construction purposes.</p><p>The main goal of PRO-ACT is to implement and demonstrate the cooperative capabilities of the multi-robot system in a Moon-like environment. PRO-ACT uses three robots: Veles - a six-wheeled rover; Mantis - a six-legged walking system; and a mobile gantry. The final demonstration tests are set for early 2021.</p><p>Work implementation for the final deployment on the lunar analogue comprises: 1) during simulations, the planned mission scenarios and functional tests of the sub-components are carried out, to gain results of the real systems as well as to check the function of the developed software on the involved robotic systems; 2) remote testing of the robotic elements are implemented with the goal to integrate the software developed in the project and develop the first functional tests of the robot systems with the implemented software, 3) onsite demonstration of the project in Bremen, Germany, in a lunar analogue setting. For this indoor lunar analogue environment it was decided to create and set up a testbed with regolith simulant for testing purposes. It will be possible to replicate realistic simulation conditions (eg. navigation, mobility, autonomy) as found in the moon, which are adequate to certify the project’s goals.</p><p>The final demonstration will be conducted in the Space Exploration Hall at DFKI in Bremen. During the project, it was decided to build a large test field (with an area of 48m²) in front of the crater in the Hall, which will be filled with granulate/simulant (fill level 20-30 cm) in order to carry out moonlike mission scenarios with the involved robotic systems. The challenge was to find the appropriate granulate: the choice fell on using sand from the Baltic sea with grain size of 0.1-1.0mm, with the majority in the larger fraction. This simulant presents both relevant geomorphological and space exploration lunar conditions that are necessary for the certification of PRO-ACT’s activities, while complying with necessary health regulations. Other considered options included EAC-1A, the European Astronaut Centre lunar regolith simulant 1, which is a special mixture of 0.2-1.0mm (65% 0.2-0.5mm and 35% 0.5-1.0mm), but this is very dusty and hazardous to health in enclosed rooms, such as the Space Exploration Hall. It was, therefore, disregarded due to health and safety conditions.</p><p>To keep lunar fidelity up to a maximum, the final demonstration setup will include, besides the referred simulant, boulders (~2m), slopes of different angles, the Hall’s crater, light/darkness conditions controlled by a light system and environmental dryness. </p>

Behaviour of lunar regolith simulants in fluidised bed reactors for in-situ resource utilisation

2020 ◽  
Vol 180 ◽  
pp. 104757
Author(s):  
L. Grill ◽  
P. Ostermeier ◽  
M. Würth ◽  
P. Reiss
Keyword(s):  
Lunar Regolith ◽  
Resource Utilisation ◽  
Fluidised Bed

Generating and storing power on the moon using in situ resources

2021 ◽  
pp. 095441002110294
Author(s):  
Alex Ellery
Keyword(s):  
Silica Glass ◽  
Solar Power ◽  
Fresnel Lens ◽  
Fused Silica ◽  
Resource Utilisation ◽  
The Moon ◽  
Pure Silica ◽  
Thermionic Conversion ◽  
Fused Silica Glass

The Moon Village and similar concepts are strongly reliant on in situ resource utilisation (ISRU). There is great interest in harvesting solar power using locally leveraged in situ resources as an essential facet of in situ infrastructure. Traditionally, silicon-based photovoltaic cells have been assumed, preferably manufactured in situ using a 3D printing rover, but there are major difficulties with such scenarios. Solar cells require pre-processing of regolith and solar cell manufacture. We present an alternative lunar resource leveraged-solar power production system on the Moon which can yield high conversion efficiencies – solar Fresnel lens-thermionic conversion. The thermionic vacuum tube is constructed from lunar-derived materials and NiFe asteroidal ores on the Moon. Given that the majority of energy required for ISRU is thermal, thermionic conversion exploits this energy source directly. Silicates such as anorthite can be treated with acid to yield alumina and silicic acid in solution from which pure silica can be precipitated. Pure silica when heated to high temperature yields fused silica glass which is transparent – fused silica glass may be employed to manufacture Fresnel lenses and/or mirrors. Both silica and alumina may be input to the Metalysis Fray Farthing Chen Cambridge electrolytic process to yield near pure Si and near pure Al, respectively.

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