PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1948145
PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1948145
Lunar energy harvesting refers to the generation of power using natural or locally available resources on or around the Moon. This market involves the development, deployment and operation of systems that convert energy sources such as solar radiation, nuclear materials, or lunar regolith into usable electrical power, specifically designed for the unique conditions of the lunar environment.
The lunar energy harvesting market consists of sales by entities (organizations, sole traders and partnerships) that is used by government space agencies, private aerospace companies, research institutions, and emerging commercial lunar enterprises. These stakeholders rely on lunar energy systems to power equipment, habitats, instruments, and other assets on the lunar surface or in orbit. It is typically used during space missions, long-term lunar habitation projects, robotic explorations, and satellite operations requiring uninterrupted energy supply in the absence of terrestrial power grids.
The global lunar energy harvesting market reached a value of nearly $211.47 million in 2024. The market is expected to grow from $211.47 million in 2024 to $687.52 million in 2029 at a rate of 26.59%. The market is then expected to grow at a CAGR of 31.30% from 2029 and reach $2,682.82 million in 2034.
Expansion Of Aerospace And Space Exploration Initiatives
During the historic period, the lunar energy harvesting market was mainly driven by the expansion of aerospace and space exploration initiatives. The growing number of national space programs and increasing participation from private aerospace companies accelerated advancements in lunar exploration and energy resource utilization. These initiatives focus on developing sustainable infrastructure, propulsion systems and in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) technologies to enable long-term lunar operations. For instance, in December 2023, according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), an intergovernmental organization that provides policy analysis and data on economic and technological development, government space budgets reached approximately USD 75 billion in 2022, representing about 0.1% of OECD GDP, reflecting a strong institutional commitment toward advancing space capabilities. There were around 6, 700 operational satellites in orbit by the end of 2022, twice the number recorded in 2020, with over two-thirds of satellites from commercial operators. Such developments have laid the groundwork for lunar energy extraction projects, including the harvesting of helium-3 and the development of power infrastructure for future habitats. Therefore, the lunar energy harvesting market was mainly driven by the expansion of aerospace and space exploration initiatives.
Innovation in Carbothermal Oxygen Extraction Technology To Utilize Lunar Regolith
Companies in the lunar resource utilization market are focusing on the development of carbothermal oxygen extraction technology designed to enable the production of oxygen directly from lunar regolith. These innovations focus on improving system efficiency, thermal stability and automation under extreme lunar conditions, while also offering scalable formats that support both scientific and commercial missions. For instance, in September 2024, Sierra Space, a US-based commercial space infrastructure company, unveiled a breakthrough reactor system capable of extracting oxygen from lunar soil using a carbothermal reduction process. The system was successfully tested at NASA's Johnson Space Center, where it operated under simulated lunar conditions to validate its ability to separate oxygen from regolith materials. These reactors feature high-temperature resistance, vacuum-sealed chambers and fully automated regolith-handling mechanisms, offering a more reliable and efficient solution for generating oxygen to support lunar habitats and long-duration space missions. By utilizing advanced thermal-vacuum technology and years of engineering expertise, the company aims to deliver extraction systems that combine durability, precision and scalability to meet the evolving needs of future lunar exploration and habitation efforts.
The global lunar energy harvesting market is highly concentrated, with large players operating in the market. The top 10 competitors in the market made up 87.23% of the total market in 2024.
Lunar Energy Harvesting Global Market Opportunities And Strategies To 2034 from The Business Research Company provides the strategists; marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the global lunar energy harvesting market as it emerges from the COVID-19 shut down.
Where is the largest and fastest-growing market for lunar energy harvesting? How does the market relate to the overall economy; demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward? The lunar energy harvesting market global report from The Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.
The report covers market characteristics; size and growth; segmentation; regional and country breakdowns; competitive landscape; market shares; trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's history and forecasts market growth by geography. It places the market within the context of the wider lunar energy harvesting market; and compares it with other markets.