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Short abstract

Humanity is set to return to the Moon, and eventually onto Mars and beyond. To achieve this, the extraction and use of space resources will be essential. This paper examines how space resources can be used to ensure sustainability and resilience both in space and on Earth.

Long abstract

In the coming years, humanity is set to return to the Moon and begin to establish a long-term permanent presence. To successfully achieve this, the identification, extraction, processing, and use of lunar resources to be used in-situ on the Moon will be essential. This paper examines how lunar resources can be used in a sustainable and resilient way, the role of circularity and resource recycling on the Moon, and how achievements on the lunar surface could help to create a more sustainable and resilient Earth. Following this, the paper explores future scenarios of humanity’s exploration of the solar system using the Moon as a stepping stone, in particular, examining what sustainability and resilience mean in the context of future human missions to Mars and other solar system bodies. Consideration is given to possible outcomes for Earth-space sustainability from the mining of asteroids for their resources and the creation of a ‘space resources economy’. Causal connections regarding sustainability and resilience are examined across the three domains of: Earth, Moon, Deep Space, which informs a framework for ensuring that future space exploration is sustainable and resilient.