In Situ Resource Utilization
In Situ Resource Utilization — Terra Invicta technology. We explore methods to refuel spacecraft away from Earth without requiring hefty refinery complexe…
About In Situ Resource Utilization
In Situ Resource Utilization is a Terra Invicta technology in SpaceScience with a research cost of 5,000.
We explore methods to refuel spacecraft away from Earth without requiring hefty refinery complexes.
As we establish more of a presence in space, the costs of transporting resources into - and beyond - orbit rapidly become prohibitive. Thus, it is imperative that we harvest more of what we need from space, rather than from Earth. Water is the foremost essential, as it can be separated into oxygen and hydrogen, which in turn can be used for creation of fuel, propellant, and a breathing mix for personnel and plants - not to mention also serving as coolant and radiation shielding. Fortunately, we are now confident that we can obtain sufficient water from the ever-shadowed poles of Luna, our own moon, in combination with mining it from asteroids. Beyond that, Phobos and Deimos, the moons of Mars, will provide all the water - and therefore fuel - we need to further our conquest of the Solar System.