In situ resource utilization (isru) near the sites of robotic and/or human missions may enable sustainable and affordable exploration of the sservi (solar system exploration research virtual…

NASA's Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute (SSERVI) awarded a $3.28 million cooperative agreement to the Bay Area Environmental Research Institute (BAER Institute) to support In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) research and exploration initiatives near robotic and human mission sites. The cooperative agreement, which runs through February 2, 2027, funds work under the RESOURCE (Resource Exploration and Science of Our Cosmic Environment) program and focuses on enabling sustainable and affordable exploration of SSERVI target bodies. The project addresses critical aspects of space resource utilization, including identifying the location, quantity, and distribution of potential resources, as well as examining and testing operations and hardware associated with ISRU prospecting, excavation, transportation, and processing steps. Work will be performed at BAER Institute's location in Moffett Field, California.

BAER Institute, a non-profit research organization specializing in interdisciplinary scientific research and data analysis, is well-positioned to execute this work given its extensive track record supporting NASA and other federal agencies in planetary science and advanced research. The award includes no set-aside designation, reflecting the institute's specialized capabilities in complex scientific research. BAER Institute's experience with solar system exploration research, combined with its sophisticated computational resources and machine learning expertise, aligns closely with the technical requirements of the ISRU program, which demands rigorous examination of extraction and processing methodologies critical to future space exploration missions.

In situ resource utilization (isru) near the sites of robotic and/or human missions may enable sustainable and affordable exploration of the sservi (solar system exploration research virtual institute) target bodies. Key to using space resources is knowing their location, quantity, distribution, and extractability. In addition, operations and hardware associated with each isru prospecting, excavation, transportation, and processing step must be examined, tested, and integrated to enable effective isru.