One of the most suitable points for humanity’s next stop is Mars. Various studies have been carried out to find water and oxygen on the red planet, whose atmosphere is almost entirely composed of carbon dioxide. Researchers have taken an important step in producing oxygen on Mars.
NASA solved the oxygen problem on Mars!
Scientists are conducting various studies to support possible manned Mars missions that will take place in the coming years. The oxygen source is at the heart of the Mars mission. Researchers may have completely eliminated this problem by succeeding in producing oxygen in various atmospheric conditions.
Since NASA’s Mars rover Perseverance landed on the planet in February 2021, it has been carrying with it the MOXIE (Mars Oxygen In-Site Sourcing Experiment), a technology effort led by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology aimed at creating oxygen on Mars.
The lunchbox-sized device was successful in its first run in April. Thus, MOXIE was recorded as the first device to produce oxygen on another planet. However, the real success would be that this device would produce the oxygen that astronauts need in different atmospheric conditions.
MOXIE has successfully passed seven experimental studies in different Martian conditions, including day and night. With this development, an important step was taken towards colonization on Mars. Although the scientists stated that the MOXIE has not yet been tested during the dawn and sunset hours, when large temperature changes occur, they are quite satisfied with the success of the device.
A report on MIT’s website states that in each of its seven studies, MOXIE achieved its goal of producing six grams of oxygen per hour. This figure may seem small, but it is worth remembering that an average tree produces this much oxygen.
Oxygen needs of astronauts will be met from the red planet
After successful experiments, scientists state that a larger, more powerful version of MOXIE could be deployed for a manned mission to Mars. It is believed that in this way, astronauts will be provided with an environment where they can breathe easily and the need to carry oxygen from Earth will be eliminated.
The way MOXIE works, on the other hand, starts by first filtering the polluted air of Mars. Then, the air rich in carbon dioxide, whose pressure value is increased, is sent to a device called the Solid Oxide Electrolyzer (SOXE) to be electrochemically decomposed into oxygen ions and carbon monoxide. After the separated oxygen ions are separated here, they are recombined as molecular oxygen, making them suitable for breathing.
MOXIE has now proven its capabilities. As the next step, scientists aim to increase the production capacity of the device. So what do you think about oxygen production on Mars? You can share your views with us in the comments section.
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