In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU)

Living off the land is essential for permanent off-world settlement. ISRU transforms dead rock into propellant and air.

Lunar Regolith Processing

Lunar dirt is largely composed of oxides (silica, alumina, iron oxide). Heating regolith in the presence of hydrogen or methane can reduce these oxides, yielding water, which can then be electrolyzed into breathable oxygen.

Martian Sabatier Process

The Martian atmosphere is 95% Carbon Dioxide. Using the Sabatier reaction, $CO_2$ mixed with Hydrogen (brought from Earth or extracted from Martian ice) over a catalyst produces Methane ($CH_4$) and Water ($H_2O$). The Methane is an excellent rocket propellant.