See this visualization first on the Voronoi app.
Use This Visualization
What Resources Can We Get from the Moon?
This was originally posted on our Voronoi app. Download the app for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources.
The idea of mining the Moon, once a concept of science fiction, is now approaching reality. According to Yury Borisov, head of Russia’s space agency Roscosmos, the race to explore and develop the Moon’s resources has begun.
This graphic highlights the resources identified on the Moon’s surface, based on data from the U.S. Geological Survey as of 2022.
Key Resources on the Moon
The Moon is almost entirely covered by regolith, a layer of pulverized rock that could serve as a versatile construction material. It has potential applications in building bases, landing pads, and roads.
Additionally, NASA is developing technology to process at least 15 metric tons of ice from the lunar south pole by 2030, aiming to produce at least 10 metric tons of oxygen and 2 metric tons of hydrogen. Radar signals suggest the presence of ice in numerous polar craters and surrounding areas. These resources could be crucial for sustaining life and fueling rockets.
| Moon resources | Current classification | Recoverable with current technology | Plausible reserve in 30 years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solar energy | Measured reserve | Yes | Yes |
| Helium-3 ³He | Inferred unrecoverable resource | No | Unknown |
| Bulk regolith | Measured unrecoverable resource | No | Yes |
| Regolith oxygen | Measured unrecoverable resource | No | Yes |
| Bound water and hydrogen | Inferred unrecoverable resource | No | Probably |
| Water ice | Minimal or no evidence | No | Unknown |
Hydrogen could also be used to generate water, though it is relatively scarce on the Moon. Extracting just one liter of water would require processing approximately 100 truckloads of regolith.
Among the Moon’s most abundant resources is solar energy. The technology to harness it is well-developed, with its first successful use on the lunar surface achieved in 1966 by the Soviet Union’s Luna 9 mission.
How Close Are We to Utilizing Lunar Resources?
While solar energy is readily available, technologies for extracting minerals and water from the Moon are still in development. However, progress is being made by various national space agencies, including NASA, Roscosmos, the European Space Agency, the China National Space Administration, the Israel Space Agency, and the Indian Space Research Organization. Several commercial ventures are also working to advance lunar resource extraction.
Learn More on the Voronoi App
If you enjoyed this post, check out Visualized: Every Moon in the Solar System on Voronoi, the new app from Visual Capitalist.
The post What Resources Can We Get from the Moon? appeared first on Visual Capitalist.