Can a rocket refuel on Mars from water? The 2019 Stack Overflow Developer Survey Results Are InCan a machine process and run on $CO_2$ and $H_2O$ for an $O_2$ by product?Methane internal combustion engines for rovers on Mars and Moon. Feasibility?Where should a lunar polar ISRU mission land?Horizontal space launch from a rampBack to oribt from Mars - how many km^2 yr of solar power to make enough propellant?Making propellants on Mars: Why not just LH2/LOX instead of methane?Can a machine process and run on $CO_2$ and $H_2O$ for an $O_2$ by product?What's the scientific evidence of water for return trip methalox on Mars?Is there any economical way to move the water from the Martian poles to the people?Martian Carbon Dioxide Turbine Oxygen GeneratorCould a rocket launch off water horizontally in stages us using water and air for lift to save fuel?
Falsification in Math vs Science
Why is ParallelDo slower than Do?
How much of the clove should I use when using big garlic heads?
Aging parents with no investments
Why don't hard Brexiteers insist on a hard border to prevent illegal immigration after Brexit?
How to deal with speedster characters?
Vorinclex, does my opponents land untap if they were tapped before i summoned him?
Is it possible for absolutely everyone to attain enlightenment?
Are there any other methods to apply to solving simultaneous equations?
I am eight letters word. Find me who Am I?
Is bread bad for ducks?
Keeping a retro style to sci-fi spaceships?
Deal with toxic manager when you can't quit
What to do when moving next to a bird sanctuary with a loosely-domesticated cat?
Ubuntu Server install with full GUI
When should I buy a clipper card after flying to Oakland?
APIPA and LAN Broadcast Domain
How to check whether the reindex working or not in Magento?
slides for 30min~1hr skype tenure track application interview
What is the motivation for a law requiring 2 parties to consent for recording a conversation
If I score a critical hit on an 18 or higher, what are my chances of getting a critical hit if I roll 3d20?
Can a rogue use sneak attack with weapons that have the thrown property even if they are not thrown?
Is "plugging out" electronic devices an American expression?
How to type this arrow in math mode?
Can a rocket refuel on Mars from water?
The 2019 Stack Overflow Developer Survey Results Are InCan a machine process and run on $CO_2$ and $H_2O$ for an $O_2$ by product?Methane internal combustion engines for rovers on Mars and Moon. Feasibility?Where should a lunar polar ISRU mission land?Horizontal space launch from a rampBack to oribt from Mars - how many km^2 yr of solar power to make enough propellant?Making propellants on Mars: Why not just LH2/LOX instead of methane?Can a machine process and run on $CO_2$ and $H_2O$ for an $O_2$ by product?What's the scientific evidence of water for return trip methalox on Mars?Is there any economical way to move the water from the Martian poles to the people?Martian Carbon Dioxide Turbine Oxygen GeneratorCould a rocket launch off water horizontally in stages us using water and air for lift to save fuel?
$begingroup$
Can a rocket run only on hydrogen and oxygen? Could a rocket, rover, and electrolysis machine be sent to either of Mars' poles to excavate ice to make hydrogen and oxygen to refuel an unmanned rocket?
What would be the benefit of not hauling the return fuel?
Could the travel time be shortened if fuel was waiting on Mars?
Can a machine process and run on $CO_2$ and $H_2O$ for an $O_2$ by product?
https://chemistry.stackexchange.com/questions/112136/what-is-the-ideal-temperature-to-crack-water
mars launch fuel isru design-alternative
asked Apr 4 at 12:16
MuzeMuze
1,2961366
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Can a rocket run only on hydrogen and oxygen? Could a rocket, rover, and electrolysis machine be sent to either of Mars' poles to excavate ice to make hydrogen and oxygen to refuel an unmanned rocket?
What would be the benefit of not hauling the return fuel?
Could the travel time be shortened if fuel was waiting on Mars?
Can a machine process and run on $CO_2$ and $H_2O$ for an $O_2$ by product?
https://chemistry.stackexchange.com/questions/112136/what-is-the-ideal-temperature-to-crack-water
mars launch fuel isru design-alternative
asked Apr 4 at 12:16
MuzeMuze
1,2961366
$endgroup$
6
$begingroup$
Note that a number of launch systems, including the space shuttle, used hydrolox fuel (hydrogen + liquid oxygen). That's just water split into its components.
$endgroup$
– Jon of All Trades
Apr 4 at 14:22
1
$begingroup$
The most obvious benefit is that you don't have the cost of launching the fuel from Earth.
$endgroup$
– jamesqf
Apr 4 at 16:51
1
$begingroup$
This is not a full answer, but several spacecraft have run on hydrogen and oxygen, for example the third stage of the Saturn V.
$endgroup$
– Skyler
Apr 4 at 17:51
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Can a rocket run only on hydrogen and oxygen? Could a rocket, rover, and electrolysis machine be sent to either of Mars' poles to excavate ice to make hydrogen and oxygen to refuel an unmanned rocket?
What would be the benefit of not hauling the return fuel?
Could the travel time be shortened if fuel was waiting on Mars?
Can a machine process and run on $CO_2$ and $H_2O$ for an $O_2$ by product?
https://chemistry.stackexchange.com/questions/112136/what-is-the-ideal-temperature-to-crack-water
mars launch fuel isru design-alternative
asked Apr 4 at 12:16
MuzeMuze
1,2961366
$endgroup$
Can a rocket run only on hydrogen and oxygen? Could a rocket, rover, and electrolysis machine be sent to either of Mars' poles to excavate ice to make hydrogen and oxygen to refuel an unmanned rocket?
What would be the benefit of not hauling the return fuel?
Could the travel time be shortened if fuel was waiting on Mars?
Can a machine process and run on $CO_2$ and $H_2O$ for an $O_2$ by product?
https://chemistry.stackexchange.com/questions/112136/what-is-the-ideal-temperature-to-crack-water
mars launch fuel isru design-alternative
mars launch fuel isru design-alternative
asked Apr 4 at 12:16
MuzeMuze
1,2961366
asked Apr 4 at 12:16
MuzeMuze
1,2961366
edited Apr 4 at 13:56
Muze
asked Apr 4 at 12:16
MuzeMuze
1,2961366
asked Apr 4 at 12:16
MuzeMuze
1,2961366
asked Apr 4 at 12:16
MuzeMuze
1,2961366
1,2961366
6
$begingroup$
Note that a number of launch systems, including the space shuttle, used hydrolox fuel (hydrogen + liquid oxygen). That's just water split into its components.
$endgroup$
– Jon of All Trades
Apr 4 at 14:22
1
$begingroup$
The most obvious benefit is that you don't have the cost of launching the fuel from Earth.
$endgroup$
– jamesqf
Apr 4 at 16:51
1
$begingroup$
This is not a full answer, but several spacecraft have run on hydrogen and oxygen, for example the third stage of the Saturn V.
$endgroup$
– Skyler
Apr 4 at 17:51
add a comment |
6
$begingroup$
Note that a number of launch systems, including the space shuttle, used hydrolox fuel (hydrogen + liquid oxygen). That's just water split into its components.
$endgroup$
– Jon of All Trades
Apr 4 at 14:22
1
$begingroup$
The most obvious benefit is that you don't have the cost of launching the fuel from Earth.
$endgroup$
– jamesqf
Apr 4 at 16:51
1
$begingroup$
This is not a full answer, but several spacecraft have run on hydrogen and oxygen, for example the third stage of the Saturn V.
$endgroup$
– Skyler
Apr 4 at 17:51
6
6
$begingroup$
Note that a number of launch systems, including the space shuttle, used hydrolox fuel (hydrogen + liquid oxygen). That's just water split into its components.
$endgroup$
– Jon of All Trades
Apr 4 at 14:22
$begingroup$
Note that a number of launch systems, including the space shuttle, used hydrolox fuel (hydrogen + liquid oxygen). That's just water split into its components.
$endgroup$
– Jon of All Trades
Apr 4 at 14:22
1
1
$begingroup$
The most obvious benefit is that you don't have the cost of launching the fuel from Earth.
$endgroup$
– jamesqf
Apr 4 at 16:51
$begingroup$
The most obvious benefit is that you don't have the cost of launching the fuel from Earth.
$endgroup$
– jamesqf
Apr 4 at 16:51
1
1
$begingroup$
This is not a full answer, but several spacecraft have run on hydrogen and oxygen, for example the third stage of the Saturn V.
$endgroup$
– Skyler
Apr 4 at 17:51
$begingroup$
This is not a full answer, but several spacecraft have run on hydrogen and oxygen, for example the third stage of the Saturn V.
$endgroup$
– Skyler
Apr 4 at 17:51
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
It absolutely could! First of all, water can be split in to hydrogen and oxygen, which can be enough to launch a rocket. Hydrogen requires a very low temperature, and the rocket engine doesn't have as much thrust as other options out there, but it is the same fuel that ran the Space Shuttle main engine, among others.
Water and carbon dioxide, easily available in the atmosphere of Mars, can be used to make Methane and Oxygen, which is a fantastic rocket fuel. This is the central premise of the book "The Case for Mars" by Robert Zubrin, and features critically in SpaceX's plans to colonize Mars. This is easier to store, and gives a higher thrust compared to hydrogen/ oxygen. It does take a lot of power to do so, however, and that might be an issue.
The main benefit is it requires a whole lot less cargo to be carried to Mars. If you can refuel a rocket on Mars, you can make a mission there reasonably priced, compared to the HUGE price that it would take to do one without in-situ resource utilization.
answered Apr 4 at 12:40
PearsonArtPhoto♦PearsonArtPhoto
84.7k16243468
$endgroup$
7
$begingroup$
Technically this doesn't answer the question. Methane isn't hydrogen, and it's far more complex to make on Mars. It requires more, not less mass to produce it. However, the benefit is that storing it is a lot easier.
$endgroup$
– MSalters
Apr 4 at 15:23
2
$begingroup$
Fair enough, added a bit about that as well.
$endgroup$
– PearsonArtPhoto♦
Apr 4 at 22:06
$begingroup$
Hm... hydrogen "doesn't have as much thrust"? Isn't it the fuel with the best specific impulse, and isn't that what counts? Low temperature and weight of tankage should matter much less on Mars than on Earth, I'd figure...
$endgroup$
– DevSolar
Apr 5 at 9:41
1
$begingroup$
That would make it easier, of course, but while there is some methane on Mars, there isn't a lot of it.
$endgroup$
– PearsonArtPhoto♦
Apr 5 at 9:53
1
$begingroup$
ISRU experiment of mars 2020 must also be noted !
$endgroup$
– Prakhar
Apr 5 at 17:11
|
show 2 more comments
$begingroup$
Have a look at the wikipedia article for "In situ resource utilization". This is exactly what you're talking about, creating fuel on another planetary body.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_situ_resource_utilization
Note that this is a fundamental part of "Mars Direct", one of the most popular ideas for a manned mission to Mars.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars_Direct
The way this would work is actually you would take liquid hydrogen with you, and combine this with carbon-dioxide from the atmosphere to make Methane (CH4) and Oxygen (O2). This is known as the Sabatier Reaction.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabatier_reaction
This can be done, as Robert Zubrin demonstrated in 1993, building an example system that ran at 94% efficiency for $47,000. The advantage of this is that Hydrogen makes up only 5% by weight of methane, so using 6 tonnes of hydrogen you can create more than 100 tonnes of fuel in the end.
This makes the mission much easier to handle, as the more fuel you need to carry with you to get there, the heavier your craft needs to be.
There are also engines known as a "Microwave Electro-Thermal (MET) thrusters". (https://www.researchgate.net/publication/3166116_The_microwave_electro-thermal_MET_thruster_using_water_vapor_propellant). These are primarily aimed for in vacuum engines, but as others have pointed out, Hydrolox fuel has been used throughout history for in-atmosphere engines too.
answered Apr 4 at 20:59
Freddie RFreddie R
1513
New contributor
Freddie R is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
$endgroup$
add a comment |
Your Answer
StackExchange.ifUsing("editor", function ()
return StackExchange.using("mathjaxEditing", function ()
StackExchange.MarkdownEditor.creationCallbacks.add(function (editor, postfix)
StackExchange.mathjaxEditing.prepareWmdForMathJax(editor, postfix, [["$", "$"], ["\\(","\\)"]]);
);
);
, "mathjax-editing");
StackExchange.ready(function()
var channelOptions =
tags: "".split(" "),
id: "508"
;
initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);
StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function()
// Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled)
StackExchange.using("snippets", function()
createEditor();
);
else
createEditor();
);
function createEditor()
StackExchange.prepareEditor(
heartbeatType: 'answer',
autoActivateHeartbeat: false,
convertImagesToLinks: false,
noModals: true,
showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
reputationToPostImages: null,
bindNavPrevention: true,
postfix: "",
imageUploader:
brandingHtml: "Powered by u003ca class="icon-imgur-white" href="https://imgur.com/"u003eu003c/au003e",
contentPolicyHtml: "User contributions licensed under u003ca href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/"u003ecc by-sa 3.0 with attribution requiredu003c/au003e u003ca href="https://stackoverflow.com/legal/content-policy"u003e(content policy)u003c/au003e",
allowUrls: true
,
noCode: true, onDemand: true,
discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
);
);
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function ()
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fspace.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f35280%2fcan-a-rocket-refuel-on-mars-from-water%23new-answer', 'question_page');
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
It absolutely could! First of all, water can be split in to hydrogen and oxygen, which can be enough to launch a rocket. Hydrogen requires a very low temperature, and the rocket engine doesn't have as much thrust as other options out there, but it is the same fuel that ran the Space Shuttle main engine, among others.
Water and carbon dioxide, easily available in the atmosphere of Mars, can be used to make Methane and Oxygen, which is a fantastic rocket fuel. This is the central premise of the book "The Case for Mars" by Robert Zubrin, and features critically in SpaceX's plans to colonize Mars. This is easier to store, and gives a higher thrust compared to hydrogen/ oxygen. It does take a lot of power to do so, however, and that might be an issue.
The main benefit is it requires a whole lot less cargo to be carried to Mars. If you can refuel a rocket on Mars, you can make a mission there reasonably priced, compared to the HUGE price that it would take to do one without in-situ resource utilization.
answered Apr 4 at 12:40
PearsonArtPhoto♦PearsonArtPhoto
84.7k16243468
$endgroup$
7
$begingroup$
Technically this doesn't answer the question. Methane isn't hydrogen, and it's far more complex to make on Mars. It requires more, not less mass to produce it. However, the benefit is that storing it is a lot easier.
$endgroup$
– MSalters
Apr 4 at 15:23
2
$begingroup$
Fair enough, added a bit about that as well.
$endgroup$
– PearsonArtPhoto♦
Apr 4 at 22:06
$begingroup$
Hm... hydrogen "doesn't have as much thrust"? Isn't it the fuel with the best specific impulse, and isn't that what counts? Low temperature and weight of tankage should matter much less on Mars than on Earth, I'd figure...
$endgroup$
– DevSolar
Apr 5 at 9:41
1
$begingroup$
That would make it easier, of course, but while there is some methane on Mars, there isn't a lot of it.
$endgroup$
– PearsonArtPhoto♦
Apr 5 at 9:53
1
$begingroup$
ISRU experiment of mars 2020 must also be noted !
$endgroup$
– Prakhar
Apr 5 at 17:11
|
show 2 more comments
$begingroup$
It absolutely could! First of all, water can be split in to hydrogen and oxygen, which can be enough to launch a rocket. Hydrogen requires a very low temperature, and the rocket engine doesn't have as much thrust as other options out there, but it is the same fuel that ran the Space Shuttle main engine, among others.
Water and carbon dioxide, easily available in the atmosphere of Mars, can be used to make Methane and Oxygen, which is a fantastic rocket fuel. This is the central premise of the book "The Case for Mars" by Robert Zubrin, and features critically in SpaceX's plans to colonize Mars. This is easier to store, and gives a higher thrust compared to hydrogen/ oxygen. It does take a lot of power to do so, however, and that might be an issue.
The main benefit is it requires a whole lot less cargo to be carried to Mars. If you can refuel a rocket on Mars, you can make a mission there reasonably priced, compared to the HUGE price that it would take to do one without in-situ resource utilization.
answered Apr 4 at 12:40
PearsonArtPhoto♦PearsonArtPhoto
84.7k16243468
$endgroup$
7
$begingroup$
Technically this doesn't answer the question. Methane isn't hydrogen, and it's far more complex to make on Mars. It requires more, not less mass to produce it. However, the benefit is that storing it is a lot easier.
$endgroup$
– MSalters
Apr 4 at 15:23
2
$begingroup$
Fair enough, added a bit about that as well.
$endgroup$
– PearsonArtPhoto♦
Apr 4 at 22:06
$begingroup$
Hm... hydrogen "doesn't have as much thrust"? Isn't it the fuel with the best specific impulse, and isn't that what counts? Low temperature and weight of tankage should matter much less on Mars than on Earth, I'd figure...
$endgroup$
– DevSolar
Apr 5 at 9:41
1
$begingroup$
That would make it easier, of course, but while there is some methane on Mars, there isn't a lot of it.
$endgroup$
– PearsonArtPhoto♦
Apr 5 at 9:53
1
$begingroup$
ISRU experiment of mars 2020 must also be noted !
$endgroup$
– Prakhar
Apr 5 at 17:11
|
show 2 more comments
$begingroup$
It absolutely could! First of all, water can be split in to hydrogen and oxygen, which can be enough to launch a rocket. Hydrogen requires a very low temperature, and the rocket engine doesn't have as much thrust as other options out there, but it is the same fuel that ran the Space Shuttle main engine, among others.
Water and carbon dioxide, easily available in the atmosphere of Mars, can be used to make Methane and Oxygen, which is a fantastic rocket fuel. This is the central premise of the book "The Case for Mars" by Robert Zubrin, and features critically in SpaceX's plans to colonize Mars. This is easier to store, and gives a higher thrust compared to hydrogen/ oxygen. It does take a lot of power to do so, however, and that might be an issue.
The main benefit is it requires a whole lot less cargo to be carried to Mars. If you can refuel a rocket on Mars, you can make a mission there reasonably priced, compared to the HUGE price that it would take to do one without in-situ resource utilization.
answered Apr 4 at 12:40
PearsonArtPhoto♦PearsonArtPhoto
84.7k16243468
$endgroup$
It absolutely could! First of all, water can be split in to hydrogen and oxygen, which can be enough to launch a rocket. Hydrogen requires a very low temperature, and the rocket engine doesn't have as much thrust as other options out there, but it is the same fuel that ran the Space Shuttle main engine, among others.
Water and carbon dioxide, easily available in the atmosphere of Mars, can be used to make Methane and Oxygen, which is a fantastic rocket fuel. This is the central premise of the book "The Case for Mars" by Robert Zubrin, and features critically in SpaceX's plans to colonize Mars. This is easier to store, and gives a higher thrust compared to hydrogen/ oxygen. It does take a lot of power to do so, however, and that might be an issue.
The main benefit is it requires a whole lot less cargo to be carried to Mars. If you can refuel a rocket on Mars, you can make a mission there reasonably priced, compared to the HUGE price that it would take to do one without in-situ resource utilization.
answered Apr 4 at 12:40
PearsonArtPhoto♦PearsonArtPhoto
84.7k16243468
edited Apr 4 at 22:06
answered Apr 4 at 12:40
PearsonArtPhoto♦PearsonArtPhoto
84.7k16243468
answered Apr 4 at 12:40
PearsonArtPhoto♦PearsonArtPhoto
84.7k16243468
answered Apr 4 at 12:40
PearsonArtPhoto♦PearsonArtPhoto
84.7k16243468
84.7k16243468
7
$begingroup$
Technically this doesn't answer the question. Methane isn't hydrogen, and it's far more complex to make on Mars. It requires more, not less mass to produce it. However, the benefit is that storing it is a lot easier.
$endgroup$
– MSalters
Apr 4 at 15:23
2
$begingroup$
Fair enough, added a bit about that as well.
$endgroup$
– PearsonArtPhoto♦
Apr 4 at 22:06
$begingroup$
Hm... hydrogen "doesn't have as much thrust"? Isn't it the fuel with the best specific impulse, and isn't that what counts? Low temperature and weight of tankage should matter much less on Mars than on Earth, I'd figure...
$endgroup$
– DevSolar
Apr 5 at 9:41
1
$begingroup$
That would make it easier, of course, but while there is some methane on Mars, there isn't a lot of it.
$endgroup$
– PearsonArtPhoto♦
Apr 5 at 9:53
1
$begingroup$
ISRU experiment of mars 2020 must also be noted !
$endgroup$
– Prakhar
Apr 5 at 17:11
|
show 2 more comments
7
$begingroup$
Technically this doesn't answer the question. Methane isn't hydrogen, and it's far more complex to make on Mars. It requires more, not less mass to produce it. However, the benefit is that storing it is a lot easier.
$endgroup$
– MSalters
Apr 4 at 15:23
2
$begingroup$
Fair enough, added a bit about that as well.
$endgroup$
– PearsonArtPhoto♦
Apr 4 at 22:06
$begingroup$
Hm... hydrogen "doesn't have as much thrust"? Isn't it the fuel with the best specific impulse, and isn't that what counts? Low temperature and weight of tankage should matter much less on Mars than on Earth, I'd figure...
$endgroup$
– DevSolar
Apr 5 at 9:41
1
$begingroup$
That would make it easier, of course, but while there is some methane on Mars, there isn't a lot of it.
$endgroup$
– PearsonArtPhoto♦
Apr 5 at 9:53
1
$begingroup$
ISRU experiment of mars 2020 must also be noted !
$endgroup$
– Prakhar
Apr 5 at 17:11
7
7
$begingroup$
Technically this doesn't answer the question. Methane isn't hydrogen, and it's far more complex to make on Mars. It requires more, not less mass to produce it. However, the benefit is that storing it is a lot easier.
$endgroup$
– MSalters
Apr 4 at 15:23
$begingroup$
Technically this doesn't answer the question. Methane isn't hydrogen, and it's far more complex to make on Mars. It requires more, not less mass to produce it. However, the benefit is that storing it is a lot easier.
$endgroup$
– MSalters
Apr 4 at 15:23
2
2
$begingroup$
Fair enough, added a bit about that as well.
$endgroup$
– PearsonArtPhoto♦
Apr 4 at 22:06
$begingroup$
Fair enough, added a bit about that as well.
$endgroup$
– PearsonArtPhoto♦
Apr 4 at 22:06
$begingroup$
Hm... hydrogen "doesn't have as much thrust"? Isn't it the fuel with the best specific impulse, and isn't that what counts? Low temperature and weight of tankage should matter much less on Mars than on Earth, I'd figure...
$endgroup$
– DevSolar
Apr 5 at 9:41
$begingroup$
Hm... hydrogen "doesn't have as much thrust"? Isn't it the fuel with the best specific impulse, and isn't that what counts? Low temperature and weight of tankage should matter much less on Mars than on Earth, I'd figure...
$endgroup$
– DevSolar
Apr 5 at 9:41
1
1
$begingroup$
That would make it easier, of course, but while there is some methane on Mars, there isn't a lot of it.
$endgroup$
– PearsonArtPhoto♦
Apr 5 at 9:53
$begingroup$
That would make it easier, of course, but while there is some methane on Mars, there isn't a lot of it.
$endgroup$
– PearsonArtPhoto♦
Apr 5 at 9:53
1
1
$begingroup$
ISRU experiment of mars 2020 must also be noted !
$endgroup$
– Prakhar
Apr 5 at 17:11
$begingroup$
ISRU experiment of mars 2020 must also be noted !
$endgroup$
– Prakhar
Apr 5 at 17:11
|
show 2 more comments
$begingroup$
Have a look at the wikipedia article for "In situ resource utilization". This is exactly what you're talking about, creating fuel on another planetary body.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_situ_resource_utilization
Note that this is a fundamental part of "Mars Direct", one of the most popular ideas for a manned mission to Mars.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars_Direct
The way this would work is actually you would take liquid hydrogen with you, and combine this with carbon-dioxide from the atmosphere to make Methane (CH4) and Oxygen (O2). This is known as the Sabatier Reaction.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabatier_reaction
This can be done, as Robert Zubrin demonstrated in 1993, building an example system that ran at 94% efficiency for $47,000. The advantage of this is that Hydrogen makes up only 5% by weight of methane, so using 6 tonnes of hydrogen you can create more than 100 tonnes of fuel in the end.
This makes the mission much easier to handle, as the more fuel you need to carry with you to get there, the heavier your craft needs to be.
There are also engines known as a "Microwave Electro-Thermal (MET) thrusters". (https://www.researchgate.net/publication/3166116_The_microwave_electro-thermal_MET_thruster_using_water_vapor_propellant). These are primarily aimed for in vacuum engines, but as others have pointed out, Hydrolox fuel has been used throughout history for in-atmosphere engines too.
answered Apr 4 at 20:59
Freddie RFreddie R
1513
New contributor
Freddie R is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Have a look at the wikipedia article for "In situ resource utilization". This is exactly what you're talking about, creating fuel on another planetary body.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_situ_resource_utilization
Note that this is a fundamental part of "Mars Direct", one of the most popular ideas for a manned mission to Mars.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars_Direct
The way this would work is actually you would take liquid hydrogen with you, and combine this with carbon-dioxide from the atmosphere to make Methane (CH4) and Oxygen (O2). This is known as the Sabatier Reaction.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabatier_reaction
This can be done, as Robert Zubrin demonstrated in 1993, building an example system that ran at 94% efficiency for $47,000. The advantage of this is that Hydrogen makes up only 5% by weight of methane, so using 6 tonnes of hydrogen you can create more than 100 tonnes of fuel in the end.
This makes the mission much easier to handle, as the more fuel you need to carry with you to get there, the heavier your craft needs to be.
There are also engines known as a "Microwave Electro-Thermal (MET) thrusters". (https://www.researchgate.net/publication/3166116_The_microwave_electro-thermal_MET_thruster_using_water_vapor_propellant). These are primarily aimed for in vacuum engines, but as others have pointed out, Hydrolox fuel has been used throughout history for in-atmosphere engines too.
answered Apr 4 at 20:59
Freddie RFreddie R
1513
New contributor
Freddie R is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Have a look at the wikipedia article for "In situ resource utilization". This is exactly what you're talking about, creating fuel on another planetary body.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_situ_resource_utilization
Note that this is a fundamental part of "Mars Direct", one of the most popular ideas for a manned mission to Mars.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars_Direct
The way this would work is actually you would take liquid hydrogen with you, and combine this with carbon-dioxide from the atmosphere to make Methane (CH4) and Oxygen (O2). This is known as the Sabatier Reaction.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabatier_reaction
This can be done, as Robert Zubrin demonstrated in 1993, building an example system that ran at 94% efficiency for $47,000. The advantage of this is that Hydrogen makes up only 5% by weight of methane, so using 6 tonnes of hydrogen you can create more than 100 tonnes of fuel in the end.
This makes the mission much easier to handle, as the more fuel you need to carry with you to get there, the heavier your craft needs to be.
There are also engines known as a "Microwave Electro-Thermal (MET) thrusters". (https://www.researchgate.net/publication/3166116_The_microwave_electro-thermal_MET_thruster_using_water_vapor_propellant). These are primarily aimed for in vacuum engines, but as others have pointed out, Hydrolox fuel has been used throughout history for in-atmosphere engines too.
answered Apr 4 at 20:59
Freddie RFreddie R
1513
New contributor
Freddie R is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
$endgroup$
Have a look at the wikipedia article for "In situ resource utilization". This is exactly what you're talking about, creating fuel on another planetary body.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_situ_resource_utilization
Note that this is a fundamental part of "Mars Direct", one of the most popular ideas for a manned mission to Mars.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars_Direct
The way this would work is actually you would take liquid hydrogen with you, and combine this with carbon-dioxide from the atmosphere to make Methane (CH4) and Oxygen (O2). This is known as the Sabatier Reaction.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabatier_reaction
This can be done, as Robert Zubrin demonstrated in 1993, building an example system that ran at 94% efficiency for $47,000. The advantage of this is that Hydrogen makes up only 5% by weight of methane, so using 6 tonnes of hydrogen you can create more than 100 tonnes of fuel in the end.
This makes the mission much easier to handle, as the more fuel you need to carry with you to get there, the heavier your craft needs to be.
There are also engines known as a "Microwave Electro-Thermal (MET) thrusters". (https://www.researchgate.net/publication/3166116_The_microwave_electro-thermal_MET_thruster_using_water_vapor_propellant). These are primarily aimed for in vacuum engines, but as others have pointed out, Hydrolox fuel has been used throughout history for in-atmosphere engines too.
answered Apr 4 at 20:59
Freddie RFreddie R
1513
New contributor
Freddie R is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered Apr 4 at 20:59
Freddie RFreddie R
1513
New contributor
Freddie R is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered Apr 4 at 20:59
Freddie RFreddie R
1513
answered Apr 4 at 20:59
Freddie RFreddie R
1513
1513
New contributor
Freddie R is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Freddie R is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Freddie R is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
add a comment |
Thanks for contributing an answer to Space Exploration Stack Exchange!
- Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!
But avoid …
- Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.
- Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.
Use MathJax to format equations. MathJax reference.
To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function ()
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fspace.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f35280%2fcan-a-rocket-refuel-on-mars-from-water%23new-answer', 'question_page');
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
6
$begingroup$
Note that a number of launch systems, including the space shuttle, used hydrolox fuel (hydrogen + liquid oxygen). That's just water split into its components.
$endgroup$
– Jon of All Trades
Apr 4 at 14:22
1
$begingroup$
The most obvious benefit is that you don't have the cost of launching the fuel from Earth.
$endgroup$
– jamesqf
Apr 4 at 16:51
1
$begingroup$
This is not a full answer, but several spacecraft have run on hydrogen and oxygen, for example the third stage of the Saturn V.
$endgroup$
– Skyler
Apr 4 at 17:51