Solar FTL, as a part of REVEALS (Radiation Effects on Volatiles and Exploration of Asteroids and Lunar Surfaces), studies the interaction between regolith (extra-terrestrial soil), volatiles and heat transfer on airless bodies. Several missions have indicated the presence of water ice on the moon. This water has potential for in-situ resource utilization (ISRU), i.e. for fuel (hydrogen) and/or support of human exploration.
Volatile Transport on Airless Bodies
To quantify the interaction an experimental chamber has been constructed, allowing for simulation of lunar conditions for the study of volatile transport. The experimental chamber consists of a vacuum chamber that surrounds a packed column of regolith simulant. The volatiles of interest are introduced and the pressure difference is studied to extract the transport properties.
Concentrating Solar Processing of Regolith
Solar FTL is currently study concentrating solar processing of regolith for ISRU. Applications of this include human habitat construction and fuels production.