MIT Research Could Lead to Refueling Depots on Mars

MIT researchers are developing technology to convert Mars' carbon dioxide atmosphere into propellant for future crewed missions to the Red Planet. PhD candidate Lanie McKinney and the Aerospace Plasma Group are working on a cold plasma system that breaks down carbon dioxide into oxygen and carbon monoxide, which could be used for life support and fuel on Mars.

McKinney has participated in NASA competitions, including the LunaRecycle Challenge where her team won first prize for a system that recycles mixed trash into reusable materials. Her current work involves combining a plasma reactor with an oxygen-selective membrane to separate the conversion products more effectively. McKinney emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration for solving the challenges of human space exploration, stating that building gas stations on Mars will be crucial for returning astronauts to Earth and establishing a permanent presence on the lunar and Martian surface.