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Materials from the Moon can play a major role in life support systems designed for operation on the lunar surface. Uses include oxygen and nitrogen for atmospheric makeup, hydrogen (and water), carbon and, potentially, minor and trace elements for the food chain, and construction materials for the extension of habitable and work volumes. The basic consideration that must be met is that the mass of the extraction and production system required to produce a particular material must be less than the total amount of the material to be produced by the system over its operational lifetime. Once that criterion has been met, improvements may be found in a systems integration of the many areas in which the indigenous resources might be utilized.

NASA's Office of Exploration currently is studying a range of initiative options that would extend the sphere of human activity in space to Mars, and includes permanent bases or outposts on the Moon and Mars. These missions are challenging in many technology areas, not the least of which is life support, where the requirements for long term, remote operations, with long supply lines, place major demands on life support systems for safety, reliability and performance. The scenarios being developed by the Office of Exploration will serve as guides to the selection of a new exploration initiative for NASA. In the current phase of the process, it is important to explore some of the critical elements, such as the advanced life support area, to determine whether the proposed missions can be accomodated with current knowledge, or whether additional technological advances are necessary.