The mission of the Space Resources Laboratory is technology research and development for sustainable extraction of natural resources from extra-terrestrial bodies, starting with the Moon, Mars, asteroids, and comets. Eventually this will come to include the full range of bodies in the Solar System, and gaseous as well as solid resources.

Regolith excavation, handling, and compaction are fundamental capabilities for expanding human operations into space, just as dirt-moving is a fundamental capability of civilization on Earth. It is also a integral part of mining. Regolith studies at the Laboratory are complemented by development of mining methods specifically for autonomous and semi-autonomous technologies.

For further information contact Dr. Leslie Gertsch