The Carbothermal Reduction Demonstration (CaRD) project integrated a solar concentrator, precision mirrors, control software, and a carbothermal reactor to extract oxygen from simulated lunar regolith, producing carbon monoxide via solar-driven chemical reactions. Developed by NASA and partners including Sierra Space, this prototype confirmed the feasibility of using sunlight to generate oxygen on the Moon's surface, which could reduce dependence on Earth-supplied resources for sustained human presence, especially at the Moon's south pole.
The system’s downstream processing can be adapted for Mars, converting carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide into oxygen and methane. The project combined technologies from multiple NASA centers and was funded through NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate. Although the prototype was tested on Earth with simulants, actual lunar deployment awaits further validation and environmental testing.
Source & further reading
Sunlight Extracts Oxygen From Regolith Using Solar Chemistry ↗Source published 2026-02-13. This report was prepared with AI assistance from the linked primary-source material. Claims and limitations should be checked against the original announcement or research.