Making Oxygen on Mars - NASA’s Breakthrough EXPLAINED
Dr Ben Miles・13 minutes read
NASA is planning a telescope on the moon, while Elon Musk discusses colonizing Mars. Technology like Moxie on Mars can create oxygen from the atmosphere, crucial for sustaining life in space.
Insights
- NASA is developing technology like project Moxie to produce oxygen on Mars, crucial for sustaining life due to the planet's lack of breathable atmosphere.
- Innovative systems like the Water Reclamation System (WRS) and Oxygen Generation System (OGS) on the International Space Station demonstrate humanity's ability to recycle resources efficiently in space, essential for long-duration missions.
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Recent questions
How does NASA plan to sustain life on Mars?
By utilizing projects like Moxie to create oxygen.
What systems does the International Space Station use for life support?
Water Reclamation System (WRS) and Oxygen Generation System (OGS).
What is the composition of the Martian atmosphere?
Mostly carbon dioxide and nitrogen, with minimal oxygen.
How does Moxie on Mars produce oxygen?
Through solid oxide electrolysis extracting oxygen from CO2.
What technology may offer a more efficient way to extract oxygen on Mars?
Low temperature plasma technology.
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Summary
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"NASA's Mars Oxygen Production Breakthrough"
- NASA announced a telescope base to be stationed on the moon, while Elon Musk considers living on Mars.
- NASA's project Moxie, on the Mars Perseverance Rover, can create oxygen on Mars from the atmosphere.
- The Martian atmosphere is mostly carbon dioxide and nitrogen, with minimal oxygen.
- The International Space Station uses systems like the Water Reclamation System (WRS) and Oxygen Generation System (OGS) to sustain life.
- The WRS collects water from urine and humidity, purifying it for drinking and oxygen production.
- The OGS uses electrolysis to produce oxygen from water, with excess hydrogen used in a Sabattier system to create water and methane.
- Solid fuel oxygen generators on the ISS provide oxygen, but require resupply from Earth.
- NASA's Moxie on Mars uses solid oxide electrolysis to produce oxygen from CO2 in the atmosphere.
- Moxie has produced 122 grams of oxygen, enough to sustain a small dog for 10 hours.
- Low temperature plasma technology may offer a more efficient way to extract oxygen from CO2 on Mars, with lower energy requirements.
