While only trace amounts exist on Earth, the moon is estimated to contain more than a million tons. Before such minerals can be recovered on the moon, the underlying technologies must be proven in environments that mimic lunar conditions. In the future, LIBS is expected to work alongside a Gamma-Ray Spectrometer (KGRS) to build comprehensive maps of lunar resources. KIGAM has already produced an elemental map of the lunar surface using the KGRS on Danuri, South Korea’s first lunar orbiter. The integrated drill bores into the regolith to collect lunar-soil samples.CREDIT: KIGAMPartners include the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI), Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI), Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS), and Korea Institute of Energy Research (KIER).