This project will promote the development of technology for processing lunar resources. Specifically, it will demonstrate the production of both glass and glass-fiber composites and refined cast basalt items, using solar energy as the primary thermal energy input. The firm will use a 75 kw solar concentrator to melt simulated lunar regolith. The melt will then undergo several multistep processes to first produce controlled, continuous, glass-matrix material needed for creating a glass and glass-fiber composite from lunar resources. Hardware development will include an electrically heated thermal valve for controlling melt flow, a platinum alloy bushing, and instrumented cooling molds that will provide some active thermal control over basalt crystallization. The results will be useful in future efforts to define a lunar production facility.Glass-glass composites could be used extensively in the electrical products market, in which the materials' high insulation value, excellent tracking resistance, and high-temperature operating capability would be especially valuable. High-temperature properties should make them options for structural elements in hypersonic aircraft and jet propulsion systems, whereas its corrosion resistance properties should be marketable in chemical plants, refineries, food processing, and sewage treatment.lunar glass composites, concentrated solar energy, cast basaltSTATUS: Phase I Only
