Since 2020, aggregated from related topics
In-situ resource utilization (ISRU) is the process of using materials and resources found in the environment of a particular location, rather than bringing them from Earth. This concept is particularly important in space exploration, where transporting materials from Earth can be expensive and impractical. ISRU includes extracting resources such as water, minerals, and gases from planetary bodies like the Moon or Mars, and using these resources for various purposes, such as generating fuel, producing oxygen, or constructing habitats. By developing ISRU technologies, scientists and engineers hope to enable sustainable and long-term human presence in space.