🌙 Blue Origin tests reactor that makes oxygen from Moon dust

Blue Origin introduced the Air Pioneer reactor, designed to extract oxygen directly from lunar regolith. NASA has backed the project with $35M.

The process heats Moon dust to about 1600°C until it melts. An electric current then splits the material through electrolysis, separating oxygen from metals like iron, titanium, and aluminum. Oxygen is released as gas, while metals and silicon collect separately.

The system needs about 1 megawatt of power, expected to come from solar panels near a lunar base. Byproducts can be reused as construction materials, including metals and glass.

NASA also provided a real Apollo-era lunar sample to help build accurate test material.

📊 @tech