TL;DR: Blue Origin's Blue Alchemist process demonstrated production of solar cell-quality silicon from regolith simulant. In-situ silicon production could enable self-replicating solar power infrastructure o
Blue Origin's Blue Alchemist process demonstrated production of solar cell-quality silicon from regolith simulant. In-situ silicon production could enable self-replicating solar power infrastructure on the Moon.
Location
Lunar surface (global - silicate minerals)
Estimated Quantity
20%+ SiO₂ in most regolith
Extraction Method
Carbothermal reduction, molten electrolysis
Economic Value
High - solar cell-grade silicon enables in-situ power generation