Arc Mining The Moon: Using Controlled Lighting Bolts to Harvest Materials | NASA

Arc Mining The Moon: Using Controlled Lighting Bolts to Harvest Materials | NASA 

NASA researchers are working on a concept that could change the way we use the rich resources on the Moon to explore more of the lunar surface than ever before. Arc Mining is a revolutionary process that vaporizes rock with electric arcs and extracts valuable resources like water, silicon, and nickel. These materials could be used to make rocket propellants and build structures and hardware on the lunar surface. This electrifying technology may one day fuel future human exploration missions to the Moon or Mars.

NASA 360 takes a look at the NASA Innovative Advanced Concept (NIAC) called Arc Mining, a revolutionary idea for harvesting resources on the Moon. To learn more visit: 

https://go.nasa.gov/3vQgQYE

To watch the in-depth presentation about this topic please visit the 2021 NIAC Symposium Livestream site: https://bit.ly/3PGFUI8 (Arc Mining talk begins at 2:40:55)

To learn more about NASA’s Innovative Advanced Concepts program visit: https://www.nasa.gov/niac

Credit: NASA Space Tech/NASA 360

Duration: 1 minute, 19 seconds

Release Date: April 24, 2023

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