MOXIE, the modest golden box that accompanied NASA’s Perseverance rover on its mission to Mars, has successfully completed its task of making oxygen on the Red Planet. The device, which stands for “Mars Oxygen In-Situ Resource Utilization Experiment,” generated oxygen at an impressive rate until its final run on August 7. Over the course of its mission, MOXIE produced a total of 122 grams (4.3 oz) of Martian oxygen, exceeding scientists’ expectations.
The production of oxygen on Mars is crucial for future human exploration of the planet. Not only does it provide astronauts with a vital oxygen supply during their stay, but it also plays a key role in rocket fuel. Sending enough rocket fuel to Mars for the astronauts’ return trip would require a significant amount of oxygen. By producing oxygen on the Red Planet, the weight can be reduced, making the mission more feasible.
Scientists envision a future where astronauts can “live off the land” on Mars, relying on resources found on the planet itself. MOXIE’s success is a major step towards achieving this goal. The device produced oxygen at a rate of 12 grams (0.4 oz) per hour, with the oxygen being at least 98% pure. These numbers provide hope for future scaled-up efforts to support human exploration.
NASA officials believe that when the first astronauts land on Mars, they may have a device similar to MOXIE to thank for the air they breathe and the rocket propellant that gets them home. The success of MOXIE also has implications for lunar exploration, as it could potentially be used on the moon’s surface as well.
MOXIE’s ability to extract oxygen from Mars’ thin atmosphere involves plucking out the oxygen bits from carbon dioxide molecules. This process requires a temperature of approximately 1,470 degrees Fahrenheit (800 degrees Celsius). MOXIE was designed with heat-tolerant materials, including nickel alloy parts and a gold coating that reflects infrared heat, in order to protect the Perseverance rover.
Moving forward, the next step for the team is to develop a full-scale system that includes a MOXIE box along with a method to store and liquify the oxygen produced. The success of MOXIE has paved the way for further technological advancements in resource utilization on Mars.
Overall, MOXIE’s mission has been a resounding success, proving that the production of oxygen on Mars is not only possible but essential for future space exploration and colonization. The device has revolutionized the space exploration game and brought humanity one step closer to establishing a sustained presence on the Red Planet.