Extracting Lunar Oxygen

The announcement that water exists on the Moon supports efforts to establish a lunar base. To turn promise into practicality, however, a way must be found to actually use the water.

NASA and researchers from Case Western Reserve University are working on that. Engineers are developing a device that will extract oxygen from lunar soil after separating water-bearing roccks from other rocks. Testing the sifting mechanism on the so-called "vomit comet"-- a jet that flies parabolas to simulate lunar gravity-- researchers have found the sifting method would seem to work on the Moon.

If it does, and if a system can be developed to produce oxygen-- and, eventually, other useful elements-- not only can a base be supported, but a diversified lunar economy can be established.