NASA has tested a solar-powered prototype that extracts oxygen from simulated lunar soil using concentrated sunlight and carbon. The Carbothermal Reduction Demonstration heats moon dust to produce carbon monoxide, later converted into oxygen and fuel, potentially enabling astronauts to generate air and propellant directly on the Moon.​NASA has tested a solar-powered prototype that extracts oxygen from simulated lunar soil using concentrated sunlight and carbon. The Carbothermal Reduction Demonstration heats moon dust to produce carbon monoxide, later converted into oxygen and fuel, potentially enabling astronauts to generate air and propellant directly on the Moon.  ​ science