A device the size of a NASA toaster could make oxygen on Mars

If people want to explore Mars In the future, they will need to produce oxygen. Now, a small toaster-sized device out there on the planet does just that.

In a study published this week in the journal, science progressresearchers in Massachusetts Institute of Technology They showed that In an experiment using oxygen resources on site on Mars -known as moxiOxygen can be produced from carbon dioxide, in abundance in the Earth’s atmosphere Mars.

The experience that is part of the mission perseverance rover subordinate Container that landed Mars The researchers said this is the first time in February 2021 that another planet’s resources have been turned into something useful for human missions. The little chest created by Jet Propulsion Laboratory subordinate Container and the Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyAnd the Produces enough oxygen to equal the production of a small tree on EarthThey can do this during the day and night during the multiple seasons of Mars.

“This is what explorers have done since time immemorial“, He said Jeffrey Hoffmana former astronaut Container Who is now the Deputy Principal Investigator of the Mission moxi Professor of Aeronautical Engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. “Find out where you are going and find out how to use them“.

Space agencies, scientists and entrepreneurs are calling for humans to explore Mars. The long-awaited mission and problem Artemis subordinate Container Going to the moon is a starting point for exploration Mars In the next decade or so. China hopes to put humans on this planet in 2033. Elon Muskthe world’s richest person and CEO SpaceXHe hinted that he would do so in 2029.

But make people come Mars He said it requires a number of complex things Hoffmann. Astronauts have to endure high levels of cosmic radiation during the long journey to the planet. Round trip to Mars They can last more than 8 months, so there must be an ample supply of food and medicine for space travelers.

Perhaps the most important thing is oxygen, he said. Hoffmann. Astronauts need it to breathe in whatever temporary habitat they’re in Mars, as well as in space tanks for suits when exploring the planet. It’s also an important trigger to run the missile they’ll need to get back from Mars to me Earth.

Space agencies may be able to send Mars He said enough oxygen for the astronauts to breathe and make the flight home. HoffmannBut doing so would be very costly, as it would take multiple missile launches to bring it back. Oxygen manufacture Mars than carbon dioxide in the atmosphere would be cheaper, he said. (Atmosphere Mars about 96% carbon dioxide).

To test this ability, Container He carried a small golden chest on his mission perseverance rover last year. From April 2021, moxi He performed several tests in which he produced oxygen during different times of the Martian day, and during different seasonal conditions. During each experiment, the box produced approximately 6 grams of oxygen per hour, which is equivalent to the production of a modest tree in Earth. (In his latest proof, to be published in a future article, Hoffmann He said the machine’s production increased to 10 grams per hour.)

If the technology is to be perfected, scientists will have to greatly expand the size of the machine and ensure that it can operate continuously. according to Hoffmannto maintain a human mission in Mars And to bring people back, you would have to produce at least 3 to 3 pounds of oxygen per hour during a multi-year mission. “To do this, you will have to multiply things hundreds of times“, He said.

Currently, the machine can operate most days on Mars, with the exception of a few specific times.

“The only thing we haven’t shown is that it works at dawn or dusk, when the temperature is [en Marte] fundamental changes“, He said Michael HechtMission Principal Investigator moxi In the Haystack Observatory From Massachusetts Institute of Technology. “We have an ace up our sleeve that will allow us to do this, and once tested in the lab, we will be able to achieve this latest feat to show that we can actually work at any time.“.

Looking into the future, engineers plan to bring the device moxi to its limits, increasing its ability to produce oxygen and ensuring that it operates during the Martian spring, when the planet’s atmosphere is thick and carbon dioxide levels are very high. “We will put everything to the maximum and let it work for as long as possible“, He said Hecht.

Engineers will monitor the wear on the device and see if it can withstand enough pressure to suggest it can be converted into a full-scale system that can operate continuously for thousands of hours. If so, the effects could be significant.

“To support a human mission to Mars, we have to bring a lot of things from Earth“, He said Hoffmann. “But silly old oxygen? If you can get there, start: you’re on your way forward“.

(c) The Washington Post. –

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