The United States is taking a bold step toward future space exploration, unveiling new technology designed to mine resources on the Moon.

NASA has begun testing the RASSOR (Regolith Advanced Surface Systems Operations Robot), a specialized vehicle built to extract lunar soil and other materials that could one day support human life on the Moon—and eventually Mars.

Engineers say RASSOR is paving the way for the IPEx (In-Situ Resource Utilisation Pilot Excavator), a more advanced system intended to demonstrate how astronauts could harvest and use resources directly on the lunar surface.

In addition, NASA is working on a new excavation vehicle that could be deployed in a future technology demonstration mission to the Moon. Officials say the goal is to reduce reliance on Earth supplies by developing tools that allow astronauts to “live off the land” in space.

The program marks another milestone in America’s renewed commitment to lunar exploration, as NASA prepares for its Artemis missions that aim to return astronauts to the Moon later this decade.