A Comparative Evaluation of Lunar Oxygen Production Technologies

This paper describes the procedures and decisions behind a detailed trade-off and comparative evaluation of possible processes for in-situ oxygen production from lunar regolith. After analysis of some thirty-one parameters for twenty candidate processes, the technique of vapour pyrolysis was selected as the preferred process concept on which to base a pilot lunar oxygen production plant. A brief description is given of the design of the lunar regolith pyrolyser, which is the core of the production plant.