NASA Discovers How to Produce Oxygen on Mars
ZONATIMES.COM – NASA Finds a Way to Produce Oxygen on Mars, NASA has successfully completed the first experiment to produce oxygen on another planet, namely Mars, which even exceeded the initial target set by the American space agency. This experiment was carried out using a microwave-like device called MOXIE, which stands for Mars Oxygen In-Situ Resource Utilization Experiment. MOXIE is installed on the Perseverance rover.
This experiment began more than two years ago, a few months after the Perseverance rover landed on Mars. Since then, MOXIE has managed to produce 122 grams of oxygen, equivalent to the amount of oxygen a small dog inhales in 10 hours, according to NASA. This device works by converting some of the carbon dioxide abundant on Mars into oxygen.
At peak performance, MOXIE is capable of producing twice NASA’s oxygen target, which is around 12 grams per hour with an oxygen purity of more than 98% or better. On August 7, MOXIE completed its 16th operation, meeting all established requirements.
Trudy Kortes, NASA Director of Technology, said, “We have conducted some fantastic experiments with MOXIE. We have seen how this device successfully converts carbon dioxide into oxygen, which is an important step in resource renewal efforts on Mars.”
MOXIE: The Key to Human Missions to Mars
The MOXIE experiment has great significance in preparation for a human mission to Mars. One of the main challenges in carrying out a human mission to the red planet is ensuring that astronauts have sufficient oxygen supply for breathing and for propulsion of the return rocket.
Currently, fuel for rockets and oxygen for breathing must be brought from Earth to Mars, which requires complicated and expensive mission logistics. With MOXIE being able to produce oxygen on Mars, this will reduce dependence on supplies from Earth and make human missions to Mars more technically and economically feasible.
MOXIE Process in Producing Oxygen
MOXIE works by using high-level solid-state electrolysis. This device uses the heat generated during rover operation to heat the carbon dioxide on Mars. Carbon dioxide will split into oxygen and carbon monoxide. Then, the oxygen produced will be collected and used for various purposes, including breathing by astronauts.
Important Lessons from the MOXIE Experiment
The MOXIE experiment has provided important lessons for NASA scientists and engineers. One is a deeper understanding of how advanced solid-state electrolysis devices work in a Martian environment that is very different from Earth.
In addition, MOXIE also helps NASA understand how to face the technical challenges of producing oxygen in sufficient quantities to support a human mission to Mars. This is an important first step in the long journey towards human settlement on the red planet.
Future plan
With the success of the MOXIE experiment, NASA now has a stronger foundation for planning a human mission to Mars. The ability to produce oxygen on Mars would be a valuable asset in carrying out prolonged missions and allow humans to stay on Mars for longer.
Apart from that, this discovery also opens up the potential for using MOXIE in resource renewal on Mars, such as producing rocket fuel. Thus, this experiment is an important step towards further exploration and human settlement in space.
2023-09-08 13:47:49
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