There isn’t any oxygen in space, and yet one Israeli startup has found a way around that problem, developing a technology that can produce oxygen from lunar soil. The project, Helios, was recently granted funding from the Israeli Space Agency and the Ministry of Energy to develop a system that will be launched in two space missions over the next three years.
Helios technology will produce oxygen from the lunar surface through a soil-fed reactor in addition to other various metals. The process does not require consumable materials from Earth, and can enable mankind to establish actual colonies that live off the land in permanent bases far from Earth.
Apr 26, 2021
Innovative Israeli technology being developed will allow oxygen to be produced from lunar soil to power space colonies and space exploration.
By Yakir Benzion, United With Israel
Space exploration is getting a boost from an Israeli startup that is developing technology to extract oxygen from lunar and Martian soil to be used by future space missions,
Israel Hayom is reporting.
The Helios Project recently got funding from the Israel Space Agency and the Ministry of Energy for an oxygen extraction system that is expected to be launched in the next few years.
At the heart of the technology is their “molten regolith electrolysis reactor,” a furnace that separates the abundant oxides found all over the surface of the moon and Mars into oxygen and various metals, including Iron, Aluminun and Titanium.
Simulated lunar sand melted at 1600 degrees celsius by Helium to develop oxygen (Courtesy)
An Israeli startup, Helios, says it has developed technology that can produce oxygen needed for fuel from the lunar soil. This will make multiple and long-term missions to the moon economically viable, as it will allow moon colonies to “live off the land” instead of having to carry all of their fuel and other resources from Earth.
The initiative has been awarded funding from the Israeli Space Agency and the Energy Ministry to develop a system that will be launched in two space missions over the next three years, the company said in a statement.
Israeli Startup to Produce Oxygen from Lunar Soil | The Jewish Press - JewishPress com | TPS / Tazpit News Agency | 14 Iyyar 5781 – April 26, 2021 jewishpress.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from jewishpress.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.