Plasma technology could hold the key to creating a sustainable oxygen supply on Mars, a new study has found.
It suggests that Mars, with its 96 per cent carbon dioxide atmosphere, has nearly ideal conditions for creating oxygen from CO2 through a process known as decomposition.
Published today in the journal Plasma Sources Science and Technology, the research by the universities of Lisbon and Porto, and École Polytechnique in Paris, shows that the pressure and temperature ranges in the Martian atmosphere mean non-thermal (or non-equilibrium) plasma can be used to produce oxygen efficiently.
Lead author Dr Vasco Guerra, from the University of Lisbon, said: “Sending a manned mission to Mars is one of the next major steps in our exploration of space. Creating a breathable environment, however, is a substantial challenge.
“Plasma reforming of CO2 on Earth is a growing field of research, prompted by the problems of climate change and production of solar fuels. Low temperature plasmas are one of the best media for CO2 decomposition – the split-up of the molecule into oxygen and carbon monoxide – both by direct electron impact, and by transferring electron energy into vibrational excitation.”
Mars has excellent conditions for In-Situ Resource Utilisation (ISRU) by plasma. As well as its CO2 atmosphere, the cold surrounding atmosphere (on average about 210 Kelvin) may induce a stronger vibrational effect than that achievable on Earth. The low atmospheric temperature also works to slow the reaction, giving additional time for the separation of molecules.
Dr Guerra said: “The low temperature plasma decomposition method offers a twofold solution for a manned mission to Mars. Not only would it provide a stable, reliable supply of oxygen, but as source of fuel as well, as carbon monoxide has been proposed as to be used as a propellant mixture in rocket vehicles.
“This ISRU approach could help significantly simplify the logistics of a mission to Mars. It would allow for increased self-sufficiency, reduce the risks to the crew, and reduce costs by requiring fewer vehicles to carry out the mission.”
Learn more: A mission to Mars could make its own oxygen, thanks to plasma technology
The Latest on: Mars Mission
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Mars Mission” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]- NASA wants a cheaper Mars Sample Return—Boeing proposes most expensive rocketon May 10, 2024 at 5:30 pm
Boeing is the first company to release details about how it would attempt a Mars Sample Return mission. Its study involves a single flight of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, the super heavy-lift ...
- micro:bit: Mission to Mars - Live Lessonon May 10, 2024 at 10:07 am
Reach for the stars with this BBC micro:bit Live Lesson, which investigates how computer science can be used to aid human space exploration.
- We need to consider conservation efforts on Mars, say researcherson May 10, 2024 at 8:17 am
Astrobiology is the field of science that studies the origins, evolution, distribution, and future of life in the universe. In practice, this means sending robotic missions beyond Earth to analyze the ...
- 'Locked on Mars environment for 45 days': NASA to initiate red planet simulation mission today with a team of 4 volunteerson May 10, 2024 at 1:05 am
Today marks the commencement of NASA's simulated mission to Mars at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. The mission, slated to begin on May 10, is a crucial step in advancing our understanding ...
- Will SpaceX’s Innovation Save NASA’s Mars Mission?on May 8, 2024 at 5:14 pm
NASA's Mars Sample Return mission is grappling with escalating costs and a postponed timeline, prompting a search for more efficient methods from the private sector to ensure its execution. A critical ...
- NASA’s Plans for Next-Generation Mars Helicopters Are Up in the Airon May 8, 2024 at 9:30 am
After the spectacular success of the first-ever “Marscopter,” mission planners have soaring ambitions for follow-up flying machines ...
- ‘Space: The Longest Goodbye’ Shows Loneliness Is Biggest Challenge for Manned Mars Missionon May 6, 2024 at 2:00 pm
Director Ido Mizrahy and astronaut Cady Coleman preview the new documentary about NASA's major Mars mission challenge.
- A practical approach to the Mars Sample Return missionon May 6, 2024 at 9:12 am
NASA’s Mars Sample Return (MSR) mission has run aground, wrecked by a $10 billion price estimate, a 16 year timeline and excessive mission and programmatic risk. If the mission is to proceed, a much ...
- NASA chooses 9 companies for Mars Exploration Program concept studieson May 1, 2024 at 3:13 pm
Officials with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration will pay nine companies between $200,000 and $300,000 each to conduct a dozen tests to support future missions to Mars.
- NASA's Mars Sample Return mission is in trouble—but it's a vital step to sending humans to the red planeton April 30, 2024 at 10:32 am
NASA recently asked the scientific community to help come up with innovative ideas for ways to carry out its Mars Sample Return (MSR) mission. This was in response to a report by an independent board ...
via Google News and Bing News