NASA has successfully completed a pioneering experiment That could change the game. The Mars In Situ Oxygen Resource Utilization Experiment, or MOXIE, has produced oxygen on the red planet for the first time in human history. This promising advance could pave the way for future manned missions to Mars.
MOXIE, a device the size of a microwave, has been working tirelessly on Mars for more than two years, and the results are astonishing. To date, it has generated a staggering 122 grams of oxygen, equivalent to the amount a small dog breathes in just 10 hours.. This instrument has been noted for its efficiency in converting Martian carbon dioxide into usable oxygen.
MOXIE exceeded NASA goals by producing 12 grams of oxygen per hour at 98% purity or better at its maximum point of efficiency. On August 7, MOXIE completed its sixteenth operation, meeting all established requirements.
The atmosphere of Mars is made up of 96% carbon dioxide, which is inhospitable for humans who need oxygen to breathe. MOXIE addresses this challenge by splitting carbon dioxide molecules, separating oxygen and releasing carbon monoxide as a byproduct. During this process, The MOXIE system carefully analyzes the purity and quantity of the oxygen produced.
To accomplish this feat, Heat-resistant materials, such as a layer of gold and airgel, were used to protect the Perseverance rover from the high temperatures required for carbon dioxide conversion.. This ensured that the heat did not damage any components of the rover.
The achievement of MOXIE has significant implications for the future of space exploration. This achievement demonstrates that it is possible to extract oxygen from the Martian atmosphere, which could provide breathable air for future manned missions. and serve as a rocket booster for the return trip to Earth.
According to Pam Melroy, NASA Deputy Administrator, “developing technologies that allow us to use resources on the Moon and Mars is critical to building a long-term lunar presence and enabling an initial human exploration campaign on Mars.”
Transporting large quantities of rocket propellant and oxygen from Earth to Mars would be expensive and complicated. However, Technologies like MOXIE pave the way for astronauts to essentially live off local Mars resources, which will make future missions more sustainable and efficient.
The MOXIE experiment has provided valuable lessons that will inform the development of large-scale systems including oxygen generators and storage systems. The next step will be to test other technologies on Mars that can further expand our exploration capabilities and eventually enable human life on the Red Planet.
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Source: La Opinion
