TL;DR: Lunar regolith contains 40-45% oxygen by weight, bound in oxide minerals. Multiple extraction methods have been demonstrated. Oxygen is the most valuable near-term ISRU product after water.
Lunar regolith contains 40-45% oxygen by weight, bound in oxide minerals. Multiple extraction methods have been demonstrated. Oxygen is the most valuable near-term ISRU product after water.
Location
Lunar surface (global - regolith is 40-45% oxygen by weight)
Estimated Quantity
Effectively unlimited
Extraction Method
Molten regolith electrolysis, hydrogen reduction, carbothermal reduction
Economic Value
$1-5M per tonne delivered to orbit