In-Situ Resources Page

In-Situ Resources includes In-Situ Life Support Processes (ISLSP) and In-Situ Fabrication and Repair (ISFR) for Human Systems Reseach and Technology. Work in this area is part of NASA's Human System Research and Technology Development Program (HSRT).

ISLSP uses native materials and energy sources found on lunar and planetary surfaces that could be collected, processed and used to support human space travel activity. It dramatically reduces the cost, mass and risk of life support consumables such as oxygen and water otherwise provided exclusively from Earth. On the Moon, plentiful oxygen and trace amounts of solar wind hydrogen are present in the lunar soil minerals. On Mars, oxygen can be extracted from the carbon dioxide atmosphere. Martian water may be extracted from permafrost, polar ice caps and possible subsurface reserves.

ISFR is the technology to utilize materials, either brought from Earth or extracted from native resources, to repair or build new tools, machinery, or structures in support of human space travel activity. ISFR technology dramatically reduces the mass of equipment needed to conduct the manufacturing or repair activity compared to conventional Earth processess.

Colony making use of both ISFAR and ISLSP technologies for life support consumables (oxygen and water) as well as for shelters/habitats and facilities.

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