The Perseverance rover continues its mission to explore Mars. However, the small all-terrain vehicle also carries a small box called MOXIE capable of creating oxygen from the Martian atmosphere. According to NASA, the project has successfully converted the molecules of the red planet’s atmosphere into breathable oxygen.

The MOXIE instrument has the same ability to produce oxygen as a small tree on Earth. “We are not far from producing enough oxygen to sustain human life,” said Michael Hecht, a planetary scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

The information was published at the end of August on the MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) portal. OUR The box carried by the Perseverance rover has been testing since February to create oxygen capable of producing enough O2 for a small dog.. In addition to discovering unusual mineral compositions on Mars, the rover is also contributing to who knows when humanity will reach Mars someday.

The MOXIE project is necessary for mankind to live on Mars

According to NASA scientists, the success of the MOXIE experiment is necessary for people to build a house on Mars. In an interview with The Atlantic, NASA scientist Jennifer Heldmann said that the project shows the possibility of survival on the planet. “This is the first time we’ve been able to test and demonstrate the technology to achieve this.”

The instrument is used by space agency engineers at different times of the day and at different times of the year. Because Mars’s atmosphere changes more drastically than Earth’s, researchers are looking into the best times to produce oxygen, in addition to the challenges associated with each climate. Michael Hecht stated that the easiest time to capture carbon dioxide, remove toxins, and produce oxygen is on a Martian summer night “when the pressure is high and the temperature is lower”.

O name MOXY consists of several words. The planet Mars gives rise to “M”, oxygen forms the letters “OX”, the letter “I” comes from the Latin term In Situ (in place, in place). Finally, the letter “E” comes from the word “experiment”. Also, moxi means “black water” and is a drink that originated in Native American communities. The moxi drink was marketed as a vitamin complex in the 19th century and eventually became synonymous with someone adventurous and daring, perfect for the mission of perseverance.

Mars: Perseverance rover responsible for new discoveries in Jezero crater
Igneous rocks have been discovered in the region that will be important for future exploration of the red planet.

Source: Atlantic, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

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