Moon’s top layer alone has enough oxygen to sustain 8 billion people for 100,000 years

The Moon is the only natural satellite on Earth. About a quarter of the Earth's surface. It is the largest natural satellite in the Solar System compared to the size of its planet, the fifth largest satellite in the Solar System as a whole, and the giant known planet. The Moon is a massive planetary object that forms a diverse rock mass, making it a satellite planet under the geophysical definitions of the term.
The most interesting fact that few people know about the Moon is that 'The upper layer of the Moonrock known as Regolith contains enough oxygen to heal 8 billion people on earth for about 100,000 years.'

Introduction

The oxygen used can be extracted from Regolith, which can eventually be used to support human life. If scientists could find a way to produce more oxygen on the surface of the Moon, the 10-meter-high Regolith could provide enough oxygen for every 8 billion people. The Moon is very thin and composed mainly of hydrogen, argon, and neon. Minerals such as iron, aluminum, silica, and magnesium oxides form the structure of the Moon. All of these minerals contain oxygen but not in the form of gas our lungs can process. The surface of the Moon does not provide the oxygen-rich oxygen that can support human life but is trapped between the upper layer of the Moon called Regolith, which is a layer of rock and fine dust.

How can we extract oxygen from the Moon's Regolith?

Regolith is made up of about 45 percent of air. To release this oxygen, a process of electrolysis is required. The process of electrolysis on Earth is used in the manufacturing sector to produce aluminum. Electrical energy passes through a liquid form of aluminum oxide through electrodes to separate aluminum and oxygen during the process. On Earth, the process of electrolysis produces oxygen as a byproduct. However, the same electrolysis process will produce oxygen as a primary product when made on the Moon, and other metals or aluminum will be potential products. The method of extracting oxygen from the Moon's Regolith will also require large industrial equipment. One requirement is the conversion of solid metal oxide into a liquid by heating or heating mixed with solvents or electrolytes. This technology is available on Earth but making this technology on the Moon requires vast resources. Earlier in 2021, the Belgian-based Space Applications Services announced plans to build three experimental reactors to improve the electrolysis process to produce oxygen. They expect to send technology to the Moon by 2025 as part of the in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) mission of the European Space Agency. It is a straightforward process, but one thing is sure: it is very hungry for energy. To continue, it will need the support of solar energy or other sources of energy found on the Moon.

How much oxygen will be found in the Moon's Regolith?

The upper layer of the Moon Regolith contains enough oxygen to heal 8 billion people around the world for nearly 100,000 years. Each cubic meter of lunar Regolith includes 1.4 tons of minerals on average, including about 630 kg of oxygen. According to NASA, humans need 800 grams of oxygen per day to survive. 630 kilograms of oxygen can help support a person's life for about two years or more.

Conclusion

We are well off here on Earth and must do all we can to protect the blue planet - and its soil in particular - which continues to support all living things on Earth without even trying.

SUGANDHA GUPTA is the writer of this article. Views expressed, and information provided belong solely to the author.