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What is the biggest problem ?: Future astronauts will need oxygen to breathe and live, but oxygen is also a critical component of the rocket’s fuel. A single rocket from the surface of Mars carrying four astronauts could require about 25 tons of oxygen. The Martian atmosphere is 95-96% carbon dioxide, so there are many potential sources for the generation of this oxygen; we just need the right technology that can take advantage of that. MOXIE is far from being able to meet these needs, but it will lay the groundwork for larger conversion tools.
What’s next ?: There will be at least nine more tests over the next two years. The first test running MOXIE at the moment is supposed to validate that the device actually works. The second phase will carry out the process in different types of atmospheric conditions and at different times of the day and season on Mars. And the third will try to do tests that push MOXIE to its limits.
Meanwhile, perseverance continues to do an exciting job. The Intelligence helicopter he had a second flight on Thursday and will fly at least three more times. The rover will set off to begin its journey seek a stranger life, including searching for potential samples for storage delivery to Earth in a day.
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