Boulder, CO, January 25, 2024 — Space Lab® has been selected by NASA to develop EcoMine™, a closed-loop bioregenerative mining facility for the moon, through the NASA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Ignite program. This comes as NASA plans to establish a sustained Lunar presence for scientific research, Mars mission preparation, and a thriving commercial Lunar economy, all of which require significant surface infrastructure.
Lunar regolith, the loose rocks and dust on the moon’s surface, is rich in raw elements used in construction, like silicon, iron, titanium, and aluminum. The use of these “in situ resources” enables an economical and sustainable approach to building structures on the moon, such as communication towers or landing pads, and also provides an alternative source of rare Earth minerals for terrestrial use.
The EcoMine™ developed by Space Lab® presents an environmentally safe and more profitable way to obtain building materials needed for Lunar development. By combining bioleaching and photosynthesis to recover minerals and continuously recycle air and nutrients, EcoMine™ consumes less energy and is less massive than chemical mining solutions. This is a major step towards a viable, sustainable Lunar economy and a blueprint for more environmentally friendly mineral mining on Earth.
Space Lab is a small business in Boulder, CO, that researches and develops technology for Earth-independent space habitation and exploration. According to Principal Investigator Christine Escobar, “We create tools and resources that people need to live and work in space sustainably, so that they can explore further and stay longer. We consider ourselves space habitat outfitters, creating sustainable solutions for humanity’s greatest journey.”
In Phase I, Space Lab will focus early-stage development on proof-of-concept prototypes to demonstrate facility capabilities. With future funding, Space Lab plans to demonstrate an EcoMine™ pilot plant on the moon.
This innovation by Space Lab® showcases the potential for more sustainable and environmentally friendly approaches to mining not only on the moon but also on Earth. The use of bioregenerative processes contributes to a more efficient extraction of minerals, reducing the amount of raw material and energy required for processing. The circular bioprocessing facility regenerates chemicals on site, which could significantly reduce operating costs and environmental impact compared to traditional mining approaches.
This development not only has implications for Lunar development but also serves as a model for more sustainable mineral mining practices on Earth. With the increasing emphasis on environmentally conscious practices and sustainable solutions, the work being done by Space Lab® is not only groundbreaking in the context of space exploration but also serves as a blueprint for more responsible mineral extraction on our own planet.
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