NASA has identified the use of in-situ resources as the best route to reduce the cost of future deep space, human exploration of space. Ionic liquids provide a method to extract needed resources from the regolith and atmosphere in-situ. These resources can be refined into propellants, life support, consumables, and materials for additive manufacturing and construction. Our group at the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) has investigated the use of ionic liquids for advancing in-space manufacturing and other technologies. This discussion provides the audience a background of ionic liquid chemistry, lunar resources, and ionic liquid-based (ISRU) applications.   

 

* In-situ resource utilization (ISRU) is “generation of products with indigenous materials”. For example, oxygen, water, metals, plastic, ammonia, sulfur and so forth. It is a critical capability for the future of deep space exploration as resupply becomes increasingly difficult and expensive.