02/08/2025
Chinese scientists have created a method to extract oxygen, water, and even rocket fuel from the lunar soil.
Using a novel "photothermal strategy"—which converts sunlight into heat—the team demonstrated how water molecules locked in lunar soil can be released and then used to break down carbon dioxide into oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon monoxide.
These elements are crucial for supporting human life and fueling spacecraft.
Published in Joule, the study shows this integrated method could simplify lunar resource harvesting and reduce reliance on costly Earth-based supplies, which can cost tens of thousands of dollars per gallon to transport to the Moon.
The team tested their approach on samples collected during China’s Chang’e-5 mission, confirming the method’s effectiveness in a controlled lab setting. Though the harsh lunar environment presents significant challenges like radiation and extreme temperature shifts, the researchers are optimistic.
They believe this breakthrough brings humanity closer to building a sustainable Moon base. As China rapidly accelerates its space ambitions, this innovation could position it as a frontrunner in establishing permanent infrastructure beyond Earth—something long imagined, but now closer to becoming reality.
source
Sun, J., Gao, W., Ding, X., Lu, Z., Li, H., Zhang, M., Tu, W., Chen, Z., Zhou, Y., Yao, W., Wu, W., Yao, Y., Wang, L., Yang, M., Wang, W., & Zou, Z. (2025). Inherent lunar water enabled photothermal CO₂ catalysis. Joule, 9(7), 102006.
