For the first time, specialists from the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) obtained oxygen from the atmosphere of Mars using a device installed on board the Perseverance rover. This is stated in a statement published on Wednesday, April 21, on the website of the space agency.
It is noted that on April 20, with the help of the experimental installation MOXIE, oxygen was obtained from the atmosphere of Mars, the main component of which is carbon dioxide. NASA representatives noted that “the demonstration of this technology is just beginning.” In their opinion, this method can make it possible to obtain and store oxygen on Mars.
In total, about 5 grams of oxygen were obtained. It is specified that this would be enough for one astronaut to breathe for about 10 minutes. The MOXIE is believed to produce “up to 10 grams of oxygen per hour.”
“Such devices may one day provide astronauts with breathable air,” the space agency said.
Earlier, on April 19, it was reported that an unmanned helicopter Ingenuity conducted its first test flight on Mars.
The Perseverance rover arrived on Mars on February 18th. The NASA dispatcher noted that during the landing of the device, the parachute opened as planned. A few minutes earlier, before entering the atmosphere of Mars, NASA specialists received confirmation that the main engine had separated from the rover as scheduled.