Tag: ISRU
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Moss in Space: Moss Spores Survive Nine-Month Ride on ISS Exterior
Introduction: A Tiny Toughness for Space Agriculture In a surprising turn for space biology, researchers report that spores of moss have endured a nine-month journey on the exterior of the International Space Station (ISS). The resilience of moss, particularly the species Physcomitrella patens (spreading earthmoss), could unlock new ways to turn barren moonscapes and martian…
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Is Moon Mining Worth It? Economics, Feasibility, and Future Prospects
Introduction: A New Frontier for Lunar Resources For millennia, humans have looked up at the Moon with wonder. Today, the question extends beyond curiosity: Is Moon mining worth pursuing? The idea hinges on a mix of science, engineering, economics, and policy. While the Moon may host valuable minerals, the costs, technologies, and legal frameworks required…
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Moon Mining: Is It Worth It for Our Space Future
Introduction: A Question That Keeps Orbiting The Moon has long been a symbol of curiosity and a potential source of practical riches. From ancient myths to modern space programs, humans have imagined turning the Moon’s resources into a bridge to a broader off-Earth economy. But as ambitious missions gather pace and commercial interests multiply, the…
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Is the Moon Worth Mining? A Practical Look at Space Resource Extraction
Introduction: A Long-Standing Dream and a New Economic Question For centuries, the Moon has been a symbol of curiosity and possibility. Today, that fascination intersects with a concrete economic question: can lunar resources justify the cost and risk of mining operations on a celestial body? The debate centers on a few key assets—water ice in…
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NASA’s Glass Bubble Moon Habitats: Turning Lunar Dust into Self-Healing Homes
From Lunar Dust to Living Quarters: A Bold NASA Vision NASA is advancing a bold concept for life support on the Moon, aiming to transform locally sourced lunar soil into habitable structures. The plan centers on melting lunar glass found in regolith and blowing it into large, bubble-shaped domes that could serve as self-contained living…
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Moon Craters May Hold Massive Platinum Reserves, Scientists Say
Lunar Discovery: Moon Craters as Platinum Reservoirs In a provocative new study published in Planetary and Space Science, researchers suggest that the Moon’s cratered landscape could be a substantial source of platinum-group metals. The team proposes that minerals such as palladium, platinum, and rhodium could be dispersed across thousands of lunar impact craters—an estimated 6,500…