Chinese scientists reveal a breakthrough method to extract water and fuel from the Moon’s soil, paving the way for long-term lunar missions and off-Earth living.
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| Chinese scientists develop a method to extract water from the Moon's soil and convert CO₂ into oxygen and fuel, reducing reliance on Earth for space missions. Image: NASA |
BEIJING, China – July 20, 2025:
A major leap toward permanent lunar habitation may be on the horizon, as Chinese scientists announce a revolutionary technology that could allow astronauts to produce water, oxygen, and fuel directly on the Moon. Published in the journal Joule, the new study outlines how researchers have successfully developed a method to extract water from lunar soil and convert astronaut-emitted carbon dioxide into life-sustaining resources—potentially ending our dependence on Earth-based supplies.
Led by Lu Wang from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, the research team’s breakthrough holds immense promise for future lunar colonization efforts. “We have succeeded in a test to extract water from the Moon’s carbon dioxide,” Wang stated, emphasizing that the same technology could convert CO₂ into carbon monoxide and hydrogen, which are then used to generate oxygen for breathing and fuel for propulsion or power. The process is powered by solar energy, further enhancing its sustainability.
This innovation arrives at a crucial time. With renewed global interest in using the Moon as a launchpad for deeper space missions, including to Mars and beyond, one of the greatest logistical and financial hurdles remains the transportation of water. NASA estimates that sending a single gallon of water to the Moon costs roughly $83,000. Given that astronauts require four gallons daily, a long-term mission quickly becomes economically unsustainable.
China’s solution directly challenges this limitation. By turning the Moon’s regolith—its dusty soil—and the very CO₂ astronauts exhale into vital supplies, missions could become self-sustaining, significantly reducing launch loads and costs. Additionally, this opens up the possibility of longer stays, semi-permanent habitats, and even commercial operations beyond Earth’s orbit.
The innovation isn’t just theoretical. The team has conducted successful lab-based tests, and the next goal is to deploy and assess the system in real lunar conditions. The Moon’s environment—marked by intense radiation, wide temperature swings, and abrasive dust—presents undeniable challenges. However, if the system performs as expected, it could transform how we build and maintain infrastructure in space.
Aside from the engineering feat, the breakthrough also has strategic implications. As space exploration increasingly becomes a global competition, China's investment in in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) technologies demonstrates its determination to lead not only in reaching space but in mastering how to live there independently.
Space agencies worldwide, including NASA and ESA, have long eyed the Moon as a staging ground. However, the absence of reliable, local resources has made the vision difficult to realize. This development offers a viable path forward—an alternative to the costly process of shipping supplies from Earth and a foundation for more ambitious interplanetary missions.
Ultimately, this is more than a technological milestone. It's a profound step toward realizing the long-held human dream of living beyond our home planet. If proven effective on the lunar surface, China’s approach could help redefine space travel—from temporary visits to sustained presence.
As Lu Wang and his team prepare for the next phase of testing, one thing is clear: the Moon may soon be more than a destination. It could become a place to stay.