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In-Situ Resource Utilization

Encyclopedia
Updated Feb 12, 2024

Contents

Introduction

Johnson Space Center (JSC) specializes in system engineering and integration of In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) systems and modeling of complex chemical processes, regolith excavation and transfer systems, and thermal conversion systems while focusing on the interactions between them. JSC is actively involved in further research and development of these technologies that enable the extraction and utilization of resources such as water, oxygen, and other elements available in extraterrestrial environments. This approach aims to reduce the need for Earth-based resources, enhance sustainability, and enable longer-duration space missions by leveraging the available resources on other celestial bodies. Our capabilities include the design, development and testing of these complex systems. JSC’s contributions to ISRU play a crucial role in advancing the capabilities and feasibility of future space exploration missions. We invite our collaborators to leverage our capabilities in in-situ resource utilization and expand humankind’s presence across the solar system. Join us in pioneering the future of human spaceflight.

Capabilities

In-situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) Development and Testing 

Overview | JSC has a long history of technology development of In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) hardware and systems for use on the Moon and Mars. 

Details |

JSC’s In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) area of expertise: 

  • Various chemical conversion processes: Hydrogen Reduction of Lunar Regolith, Carbothermal Reduction of Lunar Regolith, Solid Oxide Electrolysis of Mars atmosphere
  • Water evolution and capture from Lunar polar and Mars soils 
  • Product stream capture and purification including mixed gas separation, condensation and regenerative gas drying 
  • Water electrolysis and regenerative fuel cells 
  • Regolith sample transfer including weighing, manipulation and heating 

JSC specializes in System Engineering and integration of ISRU systems: 

  • Modeling of complex chemical processes, regolith excavation and transfer systems, ISRU system sizing and scaling, architectural evaluations, and thermal conversion systems and the interactions between them
  • Integration and evaluation of ISRU subsystems and systems
  • Integration and execution of end-to-end system field test campaigns

JSC Test Facilities and services for ISRU hardware from concept development through flight: 

  • Vibration 
  • Pyro Shock 
  • Thermal Vacuum 
  • Dust Exposure 
  • Oxygen and Hydrogen Testing
  • Solid Oxide Electrolysis Performance 
  • Water Electrolyzer Performance 

15-foot Dirty Thermal Vacuum Chamber 

Overview | NASA JSC 15-foot dirty thermal vacuum chamber (TVAC) provides unique testing capabilities for dust and planetary surface environments. The 15-foot chamber is a spherical chamber designed to test advanced concepts, especially for battery power systems, space vehicle actuators and auxiliary power units. 

Details |

  • 12.5-foot internal diameter spherical chamber with ~78-inch diameter clear entry for easy access
  • Vacuum conditions: 1×10^-6 torr to 760 torr 
  • Thermal conditions: -196°C to +120°C 
  • Air, GN2 pressurization
  • Feed-throughs for high-power electrical connections and high-channel count data 
  • Control automation enabling low-cost operations 
  • Ambient dust containment room for regolith control and testing 
  • Hardware exposure testing to dust / regolith 
  • Regolith bin for design and test of excavation, processing, or construction technology 

Human Exploration Cross-Program Integration 

Overview | Within the Exploration Architecture, Integration and Science (EAIS) Directorate at JSC, the Exploration Development Integration Division (EDI) provides expertise in integrating complex human spaceflight programs across common missions and architectures. 

Details | The Exploration Development Integration Division (EDI) delivers systems engineering, cross-program integration, and operations integration support to the entire Moon to Mars enterprise, supporting all Artemis programs. EDI supports design, development and operational life cycle activities and provides integration in support of the Artemis Missions and the Moon to Mars enterprise. 

  • Orion cross-program integration and crew systems integration 
  • Gateway risk management and human rating support 
  • Human Landing System (HLS) cross-program integration and leadership of the Crew Compartment Program Office 
  • Moon to Mars System Engineering and Integration support 

Human Exploration Program Formulation 

Overview | Within the Exploration Architecture, Integration and Science (EAIS) Directorate at JSC, the Exploration Development Integration (EDI) Division, provides expertise to human space flight programs for systems and program integration activities supporting program formulation, design, development, and operational life cycle activities. 

Details | The Exploration Development Integration Division (EDI) delivers systems engineering, cross-program integration, and operations integration support to the entire Moon to Mars enterprise, supporting all Artemis programs. EDI supports design, development and operational life cycle activities and provides integration in support of the Artemis Missions and the Moon to Mars enterprise. 

Lunar Mission Architecture 

Overview | The Lunar Architecture Team (LAT) defines lunar conceptual reference missions, architectures, and assessment of alternatives, as well as key performance parameters needed for lunar orbital and surface missions. 

Details |

  • Define conceptual and reference missions for lunar environments
  • Define lunar mission architecture and perform alternative assessments 
  • Lunar mission timeline and site planning 
  • Develop and refine both crewed and uncrewed activities on the moon for future missions to include concept of operations, timeline development, and site planning 
  • Develop conceptual white papers to define and document NASA approaches to lunar architecture 

Mars Campaign Architecture 

Overview | The Mars Architecture Team (MAT) is responsible for developing human Mars conceptual reference missions, architectures, and assessment of alternatives that provide the future mission context needed to assess Mars-forward extensibility and commonality. 

Details |

  • Define human Mars conceptual reference missions, architecture, and alternative assessments
  • Define mission elements and performance parameters for crewed Mars missions 
  • Identify technology gaps and associated decision points related to Mars architecture 
  • Define Mars analog needs on Earth, ISS, Gateway and the lunar surface
  • Develop and refine the crewed and uncrewed activities on Mars for future missions 
  • Determine functional allocations for Mars elements 
  • Identify challenges/disconnects related to the Mars architecture 
  • Develop Architecture Concept Review (ACR) documentation 
  • Provide information and analyses to support evolving Agency and Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate (ESDMD) strategic planning, including Artemis extensibility to Mars 
Artist rendition of ISRU Prime Drill on lunar surface with Earth in the distance.
Artist rendition of ISRU Prime Drill on lunar surface with Earth in the distance.
Members of NASA’s Mars 2020 project install the Mars Oxygen In-Situ Resource Utilization Experiment (MOXIE) into the chassis of NASA’s next Mars rover.
Members of NASA’s Mars 2020 project install the Mars Oxygen In-Situ Resource Utilization Experiment (MOXIE) into the chassis of NASA’s next Mars rover. MOXIE will demonstrate a way that future explorers might produce oxygen from the Martian atmosphere for propellant and for breathing. The car-battery-sized instrument does this by collecting carbon dioxide (CO2) from the Martian atmosphere and electrochemically splitting the carbon dioxide molecules into oxygen and carbon monoxide molecules. The oxygen is then analyzed for purity before being vented back out to the Martian atmosphere along with the carbon monoxide and other exhaust products. The image was taken on March 20, 2019, in the Spacecraft Assembly Facility’s High Bay 1 Cleanroom at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, in Pasadena, California.
NASA/JPL-Caltech

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