Yes, Moon dust could be an essential element in the future of space exploration. A UK company is developing a way to extract oxygen from moon dust and use the metal powders that remain to 3D print building materials for a moon base, Electronics Weekly reported.

Te European Space Agency (ESA) is working with Metalysis, a UK firm, to create an extra-terrestrial oxygen extraction plant on the moon.

“This would have the dual benefit of helping to sustain life on the Moon and avoid large costs of sending materials from Earth. Potentially, it provides a key ingredient needed to synthesize the rocket fuel needed to power a rocket on the return trip to Earth.”

“The electrochemical process takes place in a specially designed chamber – the ones used for research are about the size of a washing machine”, says ESA.

“Oxygen-containing material is submerged in a molten salt, heated to 950°C. A current is then passed through it, which triggers the oxygen to be extracted and migrate across the liquid salt to collect at an electrode, leaving behind a mixture of metal powders.”

Metalysis has a mineral extraction process that is used to produce metals for manufacturing that they have shown to work with simulated lunar regolith (moon dust). Regolith that blankets the Moon contains about 45% oxygen bound to metals such as iron and titanium.

The project is part of ESA’s preparations to establish a permanent and sustainable lunar presence. The idea is that, eventually, Astronauts may live and work on the Moon, where they will prepare for missions further into space.

“In the future, if we want to travel extensively in space and set up bases on the Moon and Mars, then we will need to make or find the things required to support life – food, water and breathable air,” says Sue Horne, head of space exploration at the UK Space Agency.

“The involvement of Metalysis in a programme that aims to do just that, by producing oxygen on a lunar setting, will showcase the UK’s space credentials on the world-stage and help unlock breakthroughs that bring future space exploration a step closer.”