Blue Origin Develops Technology to Extract Rocket Fuel From Lunar Regolith
HUNTSVILLE, AL – September 21, 2025 – Blue Origin is developing a chemical reactor capable of producing oxygen from lunar regolith, potentially revolutionizing space travel by enabling on-site resource utilization.The technology, dubbed “Blue Alchemist,” aims to extract oxygen from aluminum silicate minerals abundant in moon dust through a process of melting and electrolysis.
The process involves heating lunar regolith to high temperatures to create a molten state, then using electrolysis to separate the constituent elements, specifically capturing the resulting gaseous oxygen for use as rocket propellant. While more challenging than electrolyzing water,the technique builds upon established industrial processes like the Hall-Héroult process used for aluminum production on Earth. The meaningful energy requirement suggests a reliance on solar power for operation, prompting speculation about the project’s operational timeframe.
The potential benefits of in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) are ample.Transporting propellant from Earth is a major cost driver for space missions; producing it on the Moon could dramatically reduce mission expenses.Even with the increasing popularity of methane-fueled rockets (methalox), eliminating the need to launch oxygen from Earth represents significant savings.
Notably, NASA researchers anticipated the feasibility of such technology decades ago. As early as the 1990s, they proposed designs for an Aluminum/Liquid Oxygen slurry monopropellant rocket, demonstrating a long-held vision for lunar-derived propellants. Beyond propellant, the extracted oxygen could also support life support systems for lunar habitats, providing breathable air for astronauts.
