Magnesium As an ISRU-Derived Resource for Lunar Structures

Magnesium is one of the most pervasive metals in lunar soil, and has many characteristics that make it applicable to in-situ refining and production. This somewhat overlooked alkaline earth metal is easily cast, utilized, and recycled, characteristics that are required in the Moon's harsh environment. Moreover, alloys of this element have several properties fine-tuned for building shelters in a lunar environment, including several advantages over aluminum alloys. Magnesium alloys may prove to be the optimal choices for reinforcing lunar structures or manufacturing components as needed on the Moon. As such, further research on the in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) of magnesium is imperative for the development of a self-sufficient lunar base. This paper brings together key properties of magnesium within the context of it being used as an in-situ resource once the Moon, again, becomes a goal for permanent habitation and we require the ability to live there in perpetuity.