Sierra Space Secures DARPA Contract for Lunar Oxygen Extract
Stay informed with our
free newsletters

Sierra Space Secures DARPA Contract for Lunar Oxygen Extraction Framework for LunA-10 Capability Study

Sierra Space, a leading pureplay commercial space company building the first end-to-end business and technology platform in space, announced today that it secured a significant contract with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).

Under this contract, Sierra Space will embark on a groundbreaking research and development initiative, the 10-Year Lunar Architecture (LunA-10) capability study. Sierra Space will focus on integrating oxygen extraction, electrical storage and hydrogen-oxygen engine technology into an architecture for a commercial lunar infrastructure concept.

Sierra Space has already demonstrated its prowess in carbothermal oxygen production from lunar soil, or “regolith.” In a significant precursor to this agreement, in April, NASA achieved a groundbreaking milestone by successfully extracting oxygen from simulated lunar soil using Sierra Space technology. The team harnessed a high-powered laser to replicate the heat generated by a solar energy concentrator, melting lunar soil simulant within a carbothermal reactor developed in-house by Sierra Space. This breakthrough occurred within a thermal vacuum chamber simulating the lunar environment, setting the stage for future resource utilization on the moon, known as in-situ resource utilization (ISRU).

Satellite Propulsion System Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends Opportunity, and Forecast, 2020-2030F

Satellite Propulsion System Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends Opportunity, and Forecast, 2020-2030F

By System Type (Monopropellant, Bipropellant, Pneumatic/Hybrid Systems), By Propulsion Type (Cold Gas, Pulsed Plasma, Green Liquid, Water Electrolysed, Others), By Region & Competition, 2020-2030F

Download free sample pages

“At Sierra Space we recognize that to enable humanity’s extended exploration of space there is a critical need for ISRU oxygen technology on the lunar surface, given its strategic importance in terms of mobility, life support systems and potential commercial applications,” said Tom Vice, CEO, Sierra Space. “This formative work with DARPA is of paramount importance to Sierra Space’s efforts to both shape the future of extended human missions to space and also to broaden access to space by removing the high costs associated with transporting oxygen propellant to the lunar surface.”

Sierra Space envisions using carbothermal technology to manufacture oxygen on the lunar surface, contributing to the development of a self-sustaining lunar economy. This collaboration with DARPA will enable Sierra Space to conduct a system concept review and establish quantitative requirements for future endeavors. The ultimate goal is to optimize lunar architecture, reduce launch mass and foster a vibrant translunar economy.

As part of this agreement, DARPA will maintain continuous involvement with Sierra Space, including access to research results and certain rights in patents and data.

Sierra Space has the principal purpose of advancing research and technology goals through this agreement, with a focus on innovation and progress for the benefit of space exploration and humanity.


Publishdate:
Dec 7, 2023

National Conference on CFIUS 2025

National Conference on CFIUS 2025

Washington, DC
Apr 24 - 25, 2025

View agenda
Space Operations Summit 2025

Space Operations Summit 2025

London, United Kingdom
May 21 - 22, 2025

View agenda