On Earth created fuel for a space rocket made of lunar dust: how does it work

A new research implies that such a process can occur on the moon autonomously, without astronauts. Chinese scientists conducted an experiment during which they managed to turn samples of a lunar region into a source of rocket fuel and oxygen. This can help future colonists on the moon to create vital resources from what is on the Earth's satellite. Yes, astronauts will be able to fill the rocket before returning to the ground, Futurism writes. In focus. Technology has appeared its Telegram channel.

Subscribe to not miss the latest and fascinating news from the world of science! A new study of Chinese scientists shows that lunar soil can be a catalyst for the conversion of carbon dioxide and water from the environment into methane and oxygen. These resources can be used to create rocket fuel right on the moon. According to the author of the study, Yuji Sun, it will be vital for astronauts on the moon, it will be possible to use a lunar soil to create fuel and oxygen.

"Given that the resource potential of astronauts at extraterrestrial objects is limited, we suggest using an autonomous robotic system to perform carbon dioxide into the necessary substances. Yes, astronauts will be able to stay there for a month," says Sun. According to scientists, the whole process of creating rocket fuel and oxygen can occur on the moon autonomously, without astronauts.

During their experiment, scientists used samples of the lunar surface, which was delivered to the Earth by the Chane-5 spacecraft at the end of 2020. By the way, these were the first examples of lunar region, which came to Earth since 1976. As the study showed, the lunar region was effective as a catalyst for the conversion of carbon dioxide methane and oxygen.

But there is one big obstacle that still needs to be overcome: the liquefaction of carbon dioxide is not so easy to get in view of the cold atmosphere of the moon, since gas condensation requires a significant amount of heat. However, this is a very attractive perspective: to receive the necessary resources for the moon with a special device for processing the lunar soil.