As reported in the European space Agency (ESA), scientists have found a way of producing oxygen from the lunar dust (which 40-45% is oxygen – approx. ed Techcult). The importance of the discovery for the participants of future lunar missions is evident because the moon completely lacks atmosphere, and to bring oxygen from Earth is a luxury.
The technology of extracting oxygen from the lunar dust (regolith) is as follows. Initially, the regolith is mixed with melted calcium chloride (CaCl2). Then the mixture was heated to 950 °C and passed through it an electric current.
In an electrochemical reaction – electrolysis of molten salts is oxygen. According to experts of ESA, of the three tons of regolith to obtain about a ton of oxygen.
As reported by the project participant Beth Lomax from the University of Glasgow, the resulting oxygen can be used both for breathing and for rocket fuel. Not less important is the fact that the by-products are formed of metal alloys, which are also useful in the construction of lunar colonies.
Source — ESA