The idea of terraforming Mars has been pursued by scientists and artists, who have long envisioned the planet’s potential for life. However, with its barren soil and low oxygen levels, it is too remote from civilization to sustain human life today.
NASA’s Perseverance rover has been on the Martian surface since 2021 and has now completed its oxygen-rich MOXIE mission.
The Perseverance rover has deployed a device for tagging. This latest phase of MOXIE’s Mars exploration and recovery program has already achieved significant milestones.
SciTechDaily reported that Pam Melroy, the Deputy Administrator of NASA, stated that MOXIE’s impressive performance highlights the potential for extracting oxygen from Mars’ atmosphere, which could potentially supply future astronauts with breathable air or propellant.
“The need to develop technologies that enable us to use resources on the Moon and Mars is essential for establishing a lasting lunar presence, building reliance on our planet, and supporting an initial human exploration mission to Mars.”
Since Perseverance’s arrival on Mars in 2021, MOXIE has produced 122 grams of oxygen, which is equivalent to the 10-hour respiration rate of a small dog. This was twice the purity level of the oxygen that NASA had initially envisioned.
The mission of MOXIE on August 7 included the production of oxygen, which accounted for 9.8 grammes.
SciTechDaily reported that MOXIE, a groundbreaking technology, has been supported by NASA and STMD’s director of technology demonstrations at NASA Headquarters in Washington.
This technology has been proven in real-world scenarios, leading to the possibility of astronauts living on Mars.
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