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1,000°C Lunar Microreactor Could Power Permanent Moon Bases
Key Takeaways
- Lunar night lasts about 14 Earth days and can reach -223°C, making solar-only power impractical.
- A preprint by Julius Mercz and co-authors at the Technical University of Munich proposes the MULE microreactor operating at roughly 1,000°C.
- Molten salt electrolysis needs temperatures above 900°C to extract oxygen and metals from regolith.
- Electricity conversion wastes about 60% of energy as heat, so MULE emphasizes direct thermal use.
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DT Editorial Team··via universetoday.com