Bilbao
Updated:
Save
Human technology has already reached Marte: For two decades, we have several rovers studying its surface, as well as ships that constantly orbit and study the Red Planet from space. The next step will be to take the first person to step on its arid and frozen deserts. A feat that NASA He assures that he will achieve it in the next decade (although there are those who say that he will achieve it sooner, such as the always controversial Elon Musk). One of the main stumbling blocks of these trips is refueling or where the spacecraft will be supplied with energy for their stays (and their return). However, finding the fuel will no longer be a problem when the first gas station for rockets that the Basque technology center Technician is already developing in collaboration with the University of Cantabria.
The project, baptized as Hisru, is a prototype that allows fuel to be created using the resources available on Mars. The most abundant element in the atmosphere of the red planet is CO2 and the proposal of these Basque researchers is to take advantage of this gas to convert it into methane that will serve as fuel for space rockets. “The chemical reaction is achieved using greywater; that is, those that astronauts discard when showering or brushing their teeth, as a catalyst, “he explains. Borja Wellcoordinator of the Tekniker space sector.
The project falls under what is known in space exploration as the use of in situ resources. The objective of this line of research is to find formulas so that space missions can produce their own supplies, using the materials available on other planets or in space itself. It is especially useful when the missions are long. In addition, by not having to send all the supplies from Earth, it is possible to lower the costs of space travel.
“In the end, to develop colonies on other planets, you have to manage to use the resources of those places; Not all the supplies can be sent from Earth,” explains Pozo. In that sense the space gas station they propose could not be more helpful. It not only supplies the CO2 present in 95% of the Martian atmosphere; In addition, it allows recycling the water that humans discard in their space missions. “This will enhance the reuse of existing resources,” he adds.
pioneer project
The idea for this Martian gas station came up in January of this year. The researchers presented their proposal through the channel for innovative projects that the European Space Agency has and managed to convince those responsible. So much so, that now the entity finances 100% of the work. “At Tekniker we have different projects related to space and we are well aware of the needs that may exist in the sector,” Pozo points out.
Researchers are currently working against the clock to develop a first prototype “which has to be ready by the summer of 2023.” One of the critical processes is finding the right materials to design it. In addition to building a device capable of adapting to the climatic conditions of Mars, it also has to be operational, easy to integrate with chemical reactions, and affordable for the project. To do this, they are using the “magnetron sputterin” technique, which allows the creation of very precise nanostructures.
“Looking for formulas to create fuel in space was also a priority project for NASA,” explains Pozo. However, at least for the moment, they are not aware that any other research group is developing a similar gas station, so they trust that their prototype will mark a before and after in space travel.
reduce climate change
This research could also have a much more earthly utility. At the end of the day, his proposal involves recycling CO2 from the atmosphere, with which, applied in highly polluted environments, it could become an ally in reducing climate change. “It would serve to provide information and help in the decarbonization of the Earth’s atmosphere.”
For Pozo, there is an obvious application in industrial settings. He proposes to install his device in the chimneys of the most polluting factories. In this way, it would be possible to collect part of the carbon dioxide they emit and convert it into another type of less polluting element. Furthermore, he would also allow reuse the waters that is discarded by the industry, which would be used, as in the case of space gas stations, to promote the chemical reaction.
Currently, Borja and his team are already carrying out the first tests of materials. “The important thing is to try everything separately and then see if the whole works”, he explains.
These first tests are being carried out in the vacuum chambers that they have in their facilities and in which they have managed to recreate to the millimeter the climatic conditions of the red planetincluding the “Martian dust that gets everywhere.”
His forecasts go through launching a “fully operational” device in a few years. And although other technical issues still have to be resolved so that humans can finally set foot on the Red Planet, if the project does not go wrong, obtaining fuel for martian excursions It may stop being a problem in a few months.
See them
comments