About SolarISRU
SolarISRU studies the energy economics of space resource extraction. Our core question: can we actually power the resource extraction systems that lunar and planetary missions depend on?
Every plan to mine the Moon or produce propellant on Mars starts with an energy assumption. We test those assumptions against physics.
What We Do
We build energy budget models for in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) processes. Our work quantifies the kilowatt-hours required per kilogram of extracted resource — oxygen, water, metals — under realistic surface conditions, not laboratory ideals.
Our research spans four areas:
1. Energy benchmarking for extraction processes 2. Solar yield modeling across the lunar surface 3. Economic analysis of transport-vs-manufacture tradeoffs for energy infrastructure 4. Energy delivery architectures for permanently shadowed regions
How We Work
We are a research institution, not a hardware company. We publish energy analyses grounded in experimental data. We do not build extractors or solar panels — we build the models that tell you how many you need, where to put them, and whether the math works.
Who Our Work Serves
- Space agencies planning sustained surface operations
- Commercial ventures designing ISRU mission architectures
- Policy analysts evaluating the economics of off-world resource programs
- Investors assessing the viability of space resource ventures
Get Involved
SolarISRU welcomes collaboration from researchers, engineers, and policy professionals working on space resource utilization and energy systems.
Research Collaboration
We are open to joint studies, data sharing, and co-authored publications on ISRU energy economics. If your work touches lunar solar modeling, extraction process optimization, or energy infrastructure design, we want to hear from you.
Policy and Advisory
Space agencies, government bodies, and international organizations planning ISRU programs can engage us for energy budget analysis and mission architecture review.
General Inquiries
For press, partnerships, or other questions, use the contact form below.
SolarISRU is currently building its research portfolio. We respond to all substantive inquiries within 5 business days.