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Could a small device give oxygen to China’s human moon base ambitions?
- Using lunar soil as a catalyst, scientists hope to test a life-support system for astronauts in space
- The device could cut the supplies missions need to bring from Earth, lead researcher says
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Chinese scientists say they have developed a portable device to convert carbon dioxide into oxygen and fuel using lunar soil, water and solar power, raising the prospect of astronauts living on the moon.
The researchers said the artificial photosynthesis process used lunar soil as a catalyst, and they aimed to test the system in space, most likely on China’s crewed lunar and Tiangong space station missions.
“Based on this system, we can realise a ‘zero-energy consumption’ environment and life-support system, and truly support lunar exploration, research, and travel,” the researchers wrote in a paper published in the peer-reviewed journal Joule on Thursday.
The team included scientists from Nanjing University; Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen; the China Academy of Space Technology; the University of Science and Technology of China; and Macau University of Science and Technology.
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China’s Chang’e 5 lunar mission returns to Earth with moon samples
China’s Chang’e 5 lunar mission returns to Earth with moon samples
Their conclusions were based on analysis of lunar samples brought back by the Chang’e 5 mission in December 2020.
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