A lunar mining drill extracts 15 kg of regolith per hour but operates at 80% efficiency. How long to extract 300 kg?

Thu, 07 May 2026 00:06:21 +0000

**A lunar mining drill extracts 15 kg of regolith per hour but operates at 80% efficiency. How long to extract 300 kg?** As lunar exploration accelerates, the mechanics of off-world resource extraction have become central to future space economies. One critical question driving technical and investment interest is: when a lunar mining drill pulls just 15 kilograms of regolith an hour but works at 80% efficiency, how many hours does it take to gather 300 kilograms? This calculation blends real engineering limits with strategic planning for sustainable moon operations. ### Why this calculation matters now Space agencies and private companies are racing to develop lunar mining technologies to extract valuable materials like oxygen, silicon, and metals from regolith—the moon’s surface soil. With supplemental solar power, robotic precision, and efficient processing systems, even modest extraction rates can support long-term base creation or in-space manufacturing. Optimizing how long it takes to accumulate 300 kg reveals key insights into cost, timeline, and scalability—factors that shape public and investor confidence in lunar infrastructure.