Researchers are currently hoping to create Earth-based prototypes capable of producing enough oxygen for a mission to Mars.
The MOXIE experimental instrument, installed on NASA’s Perseverance rover, broke its previous record for turning a planet’s rarefied atmosphere into a source of oxygen. This is reported by Futurism.
It was noted that the victory was achieved in early June. As a result of this experiment, the initial level of oxygen production was doubled.
Previously, the requirement for the MOXIE experimental instrument was to produce six grams of oxygen per hour.
“We got great results. This is the riskiest attempt we’ve ever made,” said Michael Gert, chief designer of MOXIE and deputy director of research at MIT’s Haystack Observatory.
In 58 minutes, MOXIE (Mars Oxygen In-Situ Resource Utilization Experiment) achieved a production rate of about 12 grams of oxygen per hour, twice what was expected.
The device works by pumping Martian air into a reservoir and then using an electrochemical process to remove an atom of oxygen from each molecule of carbon dioxide. Oxygen, apparently, was released into the surrounding space.
However, the process is not without risk, as solid carbon by-products can build up inside the device.
It was previously reported that the first broadcast from the orbit of Mars, conducted by the European Space Agency, took place.
Source: korrespondent
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