A machine that extracts oxygen from moon rocks could pave the way for a “lunar village”, scientists say.
Unmanned spacecraft would feed the rocks into the machine to be crushed to dust that would be pressed into tablets.
Heating these tablets would trigger the release of oxygen, which could be stored in tanks for future use.
The European Space Agency has made an £840,000 deal with Thales Alenia Space, an alliance of French and Italian firms, to make a blueprint for the device – made possible by UK scientists.
Roger Ward of Thales Alenia Space, which could launch the project in the next two years, said: “We wish to have lunar research stations which are permanent and people can go backwards and forwards from, rather than just go up there every 20 years.
“That’s when you start thinking about lunar villages and the need for resources such as oxygen to support that.”
British firm Metalysis, in Rotherham, South Yorks, developed the chemical process that makes extraction possible.
Scientists hope the Moon could eventually be used as a refuelling station for deeper space travel.
Mr Ward added: “We should get to the point where going to the Moon is very normal.”
