Blue Origin Completes Critical Design Review (CDR) for Blue Alchemist Moon Manufacturing System

Blue Alchemist is system to turn regolith into solar cells, power transmission wire, 99.999% pure silicon, metals and oxygen; with this system, Blue Origin melts regolith analog to 1,600°C, removes elements with electrolysis, et al, boils off / collects oxygen, extracts iron / aluminum / silicon, creates glass; system is cleaner than most current manufacturing processes; after CDR, 2026 demonstration of this autonomous system now scheduled for simulated lunar environment; supported by NASA US$35M grant, hopes to reduce lunar landing costs 60%, reduce fuel cell / battery masses by 70%
Image Credit: Blue Origin