TL;DR: Iron is available both as oxide minerals and as nanophase metallic iron in lunar regolith. Hydrogen reduction of ilmenite produces metallic iron as a byproduct. Iron is essential for structural applic
Iron is available both as oxide minerals and as nanophase metallic iron in lunar regolith. Hydrogen reduction of ilmenite produces metallic iron as a byproduct. Iron is essential for structural applications.
Location
Lunar mare basalts (ilmenite, pyroxene); nanophase iron in regolith
Estimated Quantity
Abundant in mare regions
Extraction Method
Hydrogen reduction, molten electrolysis, magnetic separation
Economic Value
Medium - structural material for construction