Production of Methane Rocket Propellant on Mars

Abstract

Space exploration has made significant advances over recent years. There are now many planned robotic exploration missions for the Moon, Mars and asteroids. Carrying enough fuel for future return journeys, particularly as necessary for human exploration missions poses a key challenge, or inefficiency of having to take all required fuel for return trip for the mission, incurring significant weight penalties and opportunity cost. The UAE has announced its Mars 2117 Vision, a 100 year plan, to build a habitable settlement on Mars, and in particular: "Mars 2117aims to build the knowledge and scientific capabilities that will enable the UAE to realise humankind's universal dream of the very first sustainable settlement on the red planet within the next 100 years". Recent exploration of Mars has identified some key in-situ raw materials regarding the presence of water ice, and an atmosphere for which the major component is carbon dioxide, comprising approx. 96%. The UAE's current Emirates Mars Mission "Hope" aims to build on that knowledge and increase our understanding with respect to the Martian climate. Future missions to Mars will lead to the development of in-situ resources. The associated technologies share many synergies with terrestrial activities concerning oil, gas and the energy industries. Furthermore, it is considered that the technology development for off-world resources may have significant advantages for terrestrial industry. The associated innovations and philosophy are consistent with the UAE's National Objectives regarding the furthering of a "Sustainable Environment and Infrastructure".