The Martian rover Perseverance has again pleased scientists. The rover was able to set a new record for oxygen production.
What is known
To extract oxygen from the atmosphere of Marsuses an instrument called the Mars Oxygen In Situ Resource Utilization Experiment (MOXIE), which looks like a toaster. Scientists want to get 6 g of oxygen per hour. During the last experiment, it was possible to extract twice as much oxygen in 58 minutes.
MOXIE weighs approximately 18 kg.It was designed specifically to extract oxygen from Martian air. To do this, the instrument is equipped with a pump and an electrochemical module that can separate oxygen atoms from carbon dioxide molecules.
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The device started functioning last year.During 2021, it was launched seven times. Each procedure lasted for an hour to demonstrate the ability of the device to work in different conditions during the Martian year, which lasts twice as long as on Earth.
In 2022, experts were evaluating the maximum capabilities of MOXIE. In early June, the tool was launched for the 15th time. During 14 previous experiments, the module has accumulated about 1000 minutes.
MOXIE was developed by MassachusettsInstitute of Technology (MIT). This year the project may close due to the end of funding. Now MIT is looking for new partners to attract investment and continue the program.
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The successful work of MOXIE will form the basis for morea large-scale system that can operate for 10,000 hours without interruption. This will make it possible to produce up to 30 tons of oxygen, which will be enough to support missions involving astronauts.