Blue Origin made solar cells by melting down simulated moon dust
Moon bases may not need Earth's resources.
Whether or not Blue Origin places a lander on the Moon, it could play a key role in sustaining lunar operations. Jeff Bezos' spaceflight company has revealed it can produce solar cells and transmission cables using simulated lunar regolith. The company's Blue Alchemist technique uses molten electrolysis to separate aluminum, iron and silicon in lunar soil from bound oxygen to extract key materials. The process can build solar cells, cover glass and aluminum wire using only sunlight and reactor silicon.
This approach would not only save explorers from importing hardware, but would also be kinder to the Moon and Earth. There are no carbon based emissions, no chemicals and no water required. The resulting solar cells can operate on the Moon for more than a decade despite a "harsh" environment, claims Blue Origin.
As Ars Technica explains, Blue Origin offers this as a solution for NASA's Artemis program and missions to Mars. The space agency could establish bases or other long-term facilities while minimizing environmental impact. While the concept of using regolith to build outposts is not new, past efforts have largely focused on habitats rather than powering these off-world facilities.
Whether or not Blue Origin's technology reaches NASA is another matter, as the company has a mixed relationship with the US administration. While NASA is backing the Orbital Reef space station and will use New Glenn to carry out a science mission to Mars, it lost a key lunar lander contract with SpaceX and failed in its $2.9 billion deal challenge. dollars. As new as Blue Alchemist technology is, it's not guaranteed to win any contracts.
All products recommended by Engadget are selected by our editorial team, independent of our parent company. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. All prices correct at time of publication.
Moon bases may not need Earth's resources.
Whether or not Blue Origin places a lander on the Moon, it could play a key role in sustaining lunar operations. Jeff Bezos' spaceflight company has revealed it can produce solar cells and transmission cables using simulated lunar regolith. The company's Blue Alchemist technique uses molten electrolysis to separate aluminum, iron and silicon in lunar soil from bound oxygen to extract key materials. The process can build solar cells, cover glass and aluminum wire using only sunlight and reactor silicon.
This approach would not only save explorers from importing hardware, but would also be kinder to the Moon and Earth. There are no carbon based emissions, no chemicals and no water required. The resulting solar cells can operate on the Moon for more than a decade despite a "harsh" environment, claims Blue Origin.
As Ars Technica explains, Blue Origin offers this as a solution for NASA's Artemis program and missions to Mars. The space agency could establish bases or other long-term facilities while minimizing environmental impact. While the concept of using regolith to build outposts is not new, past efforts have largely focused on habitats rather than powering these off-world facilities.
Whether or not Blue Origin's technology reaches NASA is another matter, as the company has a mixed relationship with the US administration. While NASA is backing the Orbital Reef space station and will use New Glenn to carry out a science mission to Mars, it lost a key lunar lander contract with SpaceX and failed in its $2.9 billion deal challenge. dollars. As new as Blue Alchemist technology is, it's not guaranteed to win any contracts.
All products recommended by Engadget are selected by our editorial team, independent of our parent company. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. All prices correct at time of publication.
What's Your Reaction?
