Lunar manufacturing: A survey of products and processes

Abstract A survey of materials processing systems compatible with accessible input fractions of lunar materials is presented. Initial processing steps can be divided into three groups: 1) reagentless, 2) requiring reagents composed solely of lunar recoverable elements, and 3) requiring reagents containing some earth-imported elements. The capabilities and constraints of the processes are discussed and a range of output materials, products and potential applications derivable solely or predominantly from whole sample separation and refinement systems is outlined.