Between the 3rd and 5th of July 2018 more than 250 people came together at ESA’s European Space Research and Technology Centre in the Netherlands, to explore the opportunities presented by the use of lunar resources. Participants were present from industry and academia, from space and terrestrial sectors and from agencies and public sector organisations. The three-day workshop included around 100 presentations and discussions. Areas discussed included rationales, science, technology, legal aspects and economics. [The 2019 conference results will be available soon: https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/space-resources-2019/programme ].
The major findings of the 2018 meeting are summarized below:
ï‚· The primary end user of space resources in the near to mid-term will be space agencies, although it is possible that private sector users may also emerge during this period. The primary product of interest in these initial stages of resource utilization will be propellant produced at the lunar surface. Applications of locally produced materials may come later. Life support may benefit from local resources but will not be a driver.
ï‚· The resource with the highest potential utility is polar water. Prospecting missions are required to improve knowledge of polar water resources and are a high priority. For other locations knowledge is sufficient to allow the initiation of technology demonstration but significant unknowns remain and prospecting and feedstock characterization should be an element of missions to any unexplored locations.
ï‚· Fundamental research into lunar materials and the underlying science of resource utilization is needed in addition to technology development. In addition fundamental scientific research at the Moon is important to better understand the resources we are aware of and to identify opportunities we are not aware of yet while delivering near term benefits for science.
ï‚· Technology development is needed in areas related to energy production and storage; resource extraction; material production and metallurgy; manufacturing and construction; regolith excavation, handling and processing; accessing and operating in extreme environments.
ï‚· An urgent need exists for high fidelity, quality assured analogies and stimulants for technology development and testing. Ongoing support and engagement is required by all stakeholders in the ongoing international discussions on the legality and governance of space resources.
ï‚· While a long term economic case for lunar and space resources may exist, in the near to midterm the economic rationales are primarily linked to the potential for space resources to be a driver of innovation and the development of new intellectual property with potential space and terrestrial applications in areas including resources and material production industries.
ï‚· Missions are needed which prospect the lunar poles in-situ, demonstrate the feasibility of resource production on the Moon, characterize new lunar materials and establish enabling capabilities and infrastructure on the Moon regarding power supply, communications and navigation.
ï‚· International and public-private partnerships and coordination are fundamentally important if this new sector is to emerge.
ï‚· A diverse and dynamic space resources community now exists in Europe. There is an opportunity to leverage present activities and momentum to advance this sector. This requires that ESA provides strategic leadership, facilitates the growth and development of this community and provides flight opportunities to the Moon.
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