[realpatriot]

"And running short of air should never be a problem: moondust is composed of 40 per cent oxygen.

I didn't know that. Seems we would have burned the whole moon up with the first landing!

I have to suppose the oxygen is not "free" but maybe an oxide?

[Cincinatus' Wife]

I have to suppose the oxygen is not "free" but maybe an oxide?

Right. So it's already been "burned," if you will. To use it, we'll have to break the chemical bonds of the oxygen with the various metals it's compounded with. There are many proven processes to do that; no magic, just basic industrial chemistry.

[Crazieman]

Yes, just an oxide, chemically bonded. Capable of being reactive or nonreactive. Water, after all, is 33% oxygen, and it doesn't burn very well.