BLUESHIFT LLC — National Aeronautics and Space Administration SBIR Phase I: Z12

Description

Blueshift LLC d/b/a Outward Technologies proposes to develop a Multi-stage Oxygen and Regolith Resource Extractor (MORRE) for the production of high purity silicon, aluminum, titanium, magnesium, and other metals. The underlying method utilizes novel process and temperature control systems to extend terrestrial vacuum metallurgical extraction processes used since the 1940rsquo;s to lunar regolith feedstocks not typically associated with vacuum metallurgy. MORRE requires limited to no process consumables while yielding multiple high purity products. The process takes advantage of the lunar environment and utilizes demonstrated terrestrial industrial processes to reduce technical risk.Development of the MORRE concept will increase humanityrsquo;s presence in space by leveraging the readily available ultra-high vacuum on the Moon to unlock the abundant resources found within lunar regolith.nbsp; Additionally, the MORRE system will not only enable the production of high purity materials on the lunar surface but can also be implemented for space-based vacuum metallurgical processes that are currently not economically viable in terrestrial industries.The objective of the Phase I project is to raise the technology readiness level of the MORRE system from TRL3 to TRL4 by performing bread board validation for the MORRE system in a relevant vacuum environment. A prototype able to process no less than 50g of lunar highlands simulant will be constructed and tested in Phase I. Thermodynamic models representative of the Phase I prototype and full-scale system will then be developed and studied to help identify the optimum operating conditions for the MORRE reactor.