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Technology and development prospects for lunar critical mineral resources utilization
HE Chengdan, LI Zhengwei, WANG Yongjun , LIU Kun , ZHANG Yan , SHI Zhongning, WANG Jin, LI Lixia, YU Ruiyun, FENG Xiating, LI Detian
Chinese Space Science and Technology
2026, 46 (3):
19-33.
DOI: 10.16708/j.cnki.1000-758X.2026.0034
The Moon harbors abundant critical mineral resources, including water ice,ilmenite and helium-3 (3He). Exploiting these resources holds significant strategic value for sustaining deep-space exploration missions, addressing future resource scarcity, and catalyzing new space-based economic models. This study introduces the reserves and occurrence characteristics of key lunar mineral resources such as water ice, solid minerals, and 3He. It identifies major challenges in lunar resource utilization, including the harsh extreme lunar environment, uncertainty in resource distribution, limitations of energy supply systems, and reliability of robotic equipment. Based on this, the study reviews research progress in the utilization technologies of key lunar mineral resources, summarizes the full-process technological system for lunar resource development and utilization, and puts forward development suggestions in areas such as interdisciplinary talent development, exploitation strategies, technical verification, feasibility studies, policies and regulations, and international cooperation models.
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