In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU)

ISRU is the harnessing of local natural resources at mission destinations, instead of taking all needed supplies from Earth, to enhance the capabilities of human exploration. The rock distribution and soil composition of Hawaii’s volcanic deposits provide an ideal terrain for testing ISRU hardware and operations.

Active Mission

NASA conducts ISRU analog missions in collaboration with partners including the Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems and the Canadian Space Agency. Together they validate ISRU hardware that characterizes and extracts compounds like water and carbon dioxide from the volcanic remains. The same technology could be used to look for water ice in lunar or other planetary environments.

Mission Type

Analog Field Testing

Partners

Lockheed Martin

Mission Overview

• Location: Mauna Kea, Hawaii

• Environment: Volcanic

• Hazards Tested: Technology demonstrations

• Description: ISRU is the harnessing of local natural resources at mission destinations, instead of taking all needed supplies from Earth, to enhance the capabilities of human exploration. The rock distribution and soil composition of Hawaii’s volcanic deposits provide an ideal terrain for testing ISRU hardware and operations.

• Research: NASA conducts ISRU analog missions in collaboration with partners including the Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems and the Canadian Space Agency. Together they validate ISRU hardware that characterizes and extracts compounds like water and carbon dioxide from the volcanic remains. The same technology could be used to look for water ice in lunar or other planetary environments.

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