Israeli startup Helios, backed by the Israeli Space Agency, is planning to join Japan-based ispace's second and third missions to the lunar surface to demonstrate its technology for the production of oxygen and metals on the moon itself.
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One of the most sought-after materials needed for cislunar space is oxygen, mainly for the refueling of rockets and spacecraft. Oxygen comprises over 70% of the propellant weight. The ability to produce oxygen on the Moon is key to sustaining human existence off the planet Earth.
According to Jonathan Geifman, Helios's co-founder and CEO, "The technology we are developing is part of the value chain that enables the establishment of permanent bases away from Earth. In order not to have to endlessly transport equipment to the lunar station and causing life outside of Earth to operate under restrictive constraints, we need to look at things through the prism of infrastructure that can produce materials from natural resources."
Japanese Ambassador to Israel Mizushima Koichi, hosted a signing ceremony between the Israeli and Japanese companies to establish the initial agreement. Two memoranda of understanding stipulate that ispace may deliver Helios' technology to the lunar surface onboard ispace's lander by the end of 2023 and mid-2024.
Helios' payloads, called Lunar Extractor 1 and Lunar Extractor 2 aims to demonstrate the process of producing oxygen and metals from lunar soil. Lunar soil contains over 40% oxygen by weight, locked in oxides and minerals. Lunar Extractor 1 is designed to separate oxygen from the soil using electrolysis. This creates a byproduct – metal, which can be cast into a mold, possibly becoming the first artifact ever produced on the Moon.
Takeshi Hakamada, founder and CEO of ispace, said, "Utilizing the resources on the Moon is the natural conclusion and would lead to large economic impact for a cislunar ecosystem and eventually the sustainability of the Earth. ispace, as a pioneer in building the cislunar ecosystem, is honored to provide our lunar transportation service and assist Helios to demonstrate their technology on the Moon. We are very excited by their technology and we believe this effort will stimulate more players to enter this market."
Head of the Israel Space Agency Avi Blasberger said the agency welcomes the cooperation between ispace and Helios and hoped it would lead to further collaboration.
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