Future space exploration will increasingly depend on technologies that can use locally available materials instead of transporting everything from Earth. On the Moon, lunar regolith may become an important resource for building structures, protective surfaces or other elements needed for long-term missions. Technologies that can process this material efficiently are therefore relevant for the development of future lunar infrastructure and in-situ resource utilization.

Within the project, a probe for melting lunar regolith was designed as part of a process related to 3D printing objects on the Moon. The probe consists of a microwave resonator connected to a needle and powered by a low-power microwave source. A strong electric field is created around the tip of the needle, enabling heating and vitrification of the regolith without direct contact between the needle and the material.

Testing showed that vitrification occurred several times faster than with other devices supplied with the same power. This indicates the potential of the developed approach for more efficient processing of lunar regolith and for further development of technologies that could support construction and material use in future space applications.