DEFINITION:

In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) is the identification, acquisition, and utilization of local resources, both natural and discarded, for useful products and services. The purpose of ISRU is to significantly reduce the mass, cost, and risk of short-term and sustained human exploration by eliminating the need to launch large amounts of consumables, structures, and other items that are required for survival and for completing mission objectives successfully. ISRU also enables self-sufficiency at particular locations, especially destinations far from Earth.

Note: It is related with ESA’s TD 22-B and TD 14-A,B and D

(Source: NASA TA7.1)

SUBDOMAINS:

1. Destination Reconnaissance, Prospecting, and Mapping: This addresses investigating, sampling, and mapping regolith, the atmosphere, and the environment for future mining and utilization.
2. Resource Acquisition: This addresses extracting, collecting, recycling, pre-processing, and storing targeted “raw” in-situ resources.
3. Processing and Production: This addresses producing, transferring, and storing consumable products, such as water, air, and propellants that are needed by the crew, as well as scientific equipment, robots, rovers, etc.
4. Manufacturing Products and Infrastructure Emplacement: This addresses creating infrastructure (landing pads, blast walls, thermal wadi), fabricating tools and parts, and constructing items needed for safety, redundancy, and comfort, as well as using resources (metals, plastics, regolith, etc.) available in-situ.