Missouri University of Science and Technology — LuSTR Regolith Beneficiation¶
Lead PI: Daoru Han, Aerospace Engineering, Missouri S&T
FO Project: 158644 · TRL 5→6 · Completed Dec 2025
TL;DR¶
Missouri S&T demonstrated a two-stage lunar regolith beneficiation system in parabolic flight (2024–2025): magnetic separation (enriching anorthite mineral) + electrostatic sieving (size classification). Part of NASA's Lunar Surface Technology Research (LuSTR) program. AIAA SciTech 2025 paper published. Too early for commercial outcomes — this is fundamental ISRU materials processing research that could feed aluminum/silicon production on the Moon.
FO Project¶
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Project | 158644 Parabolic Flight Testing of Regolith Beneficiation for Lunar ISRU (LuSTR) |
| Lead Org | Missouri University of Science and Technology |
| Period | Sep 2024 – Dec 2025 |
| TRL | 5 → 6 |
| Views | 3633 (highest view count among FO academia projects) |
| Program | NASA LuSTR |
Technology¶
LuSTR = Lunar Surface Technology Research (NASA program supporting lunar ISRU hardware)
Two-subsystem approach: 1. Magnetic separation: Dual-strength neodymium magnets (N42 + N52) enrich anorthite (calcium-aluminum feldspar) by separating it from iron-titanium minerals (ilmenite) using magnetic susceptibility differences 2. Electrostatic sieving: Classifies particle sizes using 1.8–2.5 kV, 5–40 Hz square wave signals — essentially sorting lunar dust by grain size without mesh screens (which clog in fine regolith)
Why beneficiation matters for ISRU: Lunar regolith is a complex mixture. For aluminum/silicon production from anorthite, or oxygen extraction from ilmenite, you want to enrich the target mineral before processing — otherwise you're processing a lot of waste material. Beneficiation (concentrating the ore) is standard in terrestrial mining and is the missing step in most lunar ISRU proposals.
Team¶
| Name | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Daoru Han | PI | Asst. Prof., Missouri S&T Mechanical Engineering |
| William Schonberg | Co-I | Missouri S&T, civil engineering |
| Jeffrey Smith | Co-I | Missouri S&T |
| Kirby Runyon | Co-I | Planetary geology |
| David Bayless | Co-I | Missouri S&T |
Publications¶
- AIAA SciTech 2025 paper (doi: 10.2514/6.2025-2045): "Ground Testing of a Magnetic-Electrostatic Separation System for Lunar Regolith Beneficiation"
- Earlier AIAA SciTech 2024: "Beneficiation of Lunar Regolith Simulants through Electrostatic Sieving and Magnetic Separation"
- "Kinetic Modeling of Electrostatic Sieving for Lunar Regolith Beneficiation: Case Studies" (2025)
Three papers in 2 years → active publication pipeline.
Downstream Trajectory¶
Too early for commercial outcomes. TRL 5→6 means proof-of-concept in reduced gravity validated. Next steps would be higher TRL demonstrations on a lunar lander payload.
Natural connections: - KSC Electrodynamic Regolith Conveyor (106668) + KSC Excavator Bucket Drum (106738) — companion ISRU FO projects - Interlune (158666) — He-3 mining from regolith; beneficiation feeds mineral separation for isotope extraction - LuSTR program context: NASA's broader lunar ISRU investment
No USASpending contracts found beyond the FO grant. Missouri S&T is a T2 research university with significant materials/engineering strengths (formerly Rolla School of Mines) — well-positioned for ISRU follow-on work.
Assessment¶
Outcome category: Research / ISRU Precursor
Confidence: Low (too early — TRL 6 in parabolic; no mission host)
Archetype: Technology Precursor for Future Missions
Why 3633 views? Lunar ISRU beneficiation is a search term hit for multiple programs (CLPS, Gateway, Artemis surface) — high interest topic even at low TRL
Session 16 · 2026-04-06
Session 50 Update: $2M LuSTR Grant + Zero-G Flights Completed¶
CORRECTION: $2M NASA LuSTR Grant Exists¶
The original page stated "No USASpending contracts found beyond the FO grant." This was incorrect. Missouri S&T received a $2 million NASA LuSTR grant in 2022, with an extension recently funded for continued work. This is a substantial standalone NASA award separate from the FO parabolic flight project [158644]. The LuSTR grant funds the broader regolith beneficiation program that the FO flight testing supports.
Source: Missouri S&T news release (Oct 2024)
Spring 2025 Zero-G Flights¶
In spring 2025, the team traveled to Fort Lauderdale, Florida for at least two flights on Zero Gravity Corporation's modified Boeing 727-200. The flights tested the beneficiation system under: - Lunar gravity (1/6 g) - Martian gravity (2/5 g) - Microgravity (free-fall)
The equipment was housed in a "vending machine-sized box" with integrated gloves, allowing researchers to manipulate regolith simulant with the magnetic separator and electrostatic sieve while recording results under reduced gravity.
Expanded Team¶
| Name | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Daoru Han | PI | Now Associate Professor (promoted from Asst. Prof.) |
| Fateme Rezaei | Co-I | Moved to University of Miami (was at Missouri S&T) |
| Kirby Runyon | Co-I | Planetary Science Institute (not S&T) |
| David Bayless, William Schonberg, Jeffrey Smith | Co-Is | Missouri S&T |
| Charles Wood | Master's student | Lead student researcher |
| 7 undergraduates | Student researchers | Trey Brown, Jonah Little, Joshua Eiter, Blake Coffman, Lindsay Manteufel, Marissa Verduin, Justin Viers |
| Peter Bachle, Mitch Cottrell | Staff | Supporting |
Updated Dollar Tracking¶
| Source | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| NASA LuSTR grant | $2M (2022) + extension | Regolith beneficiation program |
| FO project [158644] | (within FO budget) | Parabolic flight testing |
| Total tracked | ~$2M+ | Substantially higher than Session 16 estimate of $0 |
Assessment Update¶
Outcome category upgraded: Research / ISRU Precursor → Active ISRU Research Program - The $2M grant + extension + completed Zero-G flights + 3 AIAA publications in 2 years signals a healthy, funded research program, not just an isolated FO experiment - Han's promotion to Associate Professor suggests institutional investment in this line of work - Co-I Rezaei's move to University of Miami expands the institutional footprint
Confidence: Still low for near-term mission deployment (TRL 6), but medium for continued maturation — funding is in place through the grant extension
Surprise level: MODERATE — The $2M LuSTR grant was a significant miss in the original assessment. The page systematically understated the program's scope and funding.
Session 50 · 2026-04-07
Cross-references: fo-portfolio-tracker.md, organizations/interlune.md