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The space conquest is fast approaching, and the recent technological breakthrough of Chinese scientists may well redefine our approach to lunar exploration. Indeed, thanks to an innovative photothermic strategy, the possibility of using the natural resources of the moon to create fuel and oxygen becomes a tangible reality. This advance marks a crucial step in reducing our dependence on land resources for long-term spatial missions.
Angerly use of lunar soil
Researchers at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, led by Lu Wang, discovered a revolutionary approach to exploit lunar soil. “We have never fully imagined the ‘magic’ that the lunar soil owned”, Wang said. The most surprising aspect of their discovery lies in the ability to integrate water extraction and photoothermic catalysis of CO2 into a single step. This method could significantly improve energy efficiency while reducing the costs and complexity of the development of the necessary infrastructure.
The lunar soil samples brought back by the Chang’e-5 mission revealed the presence of water on the surface of the moon. This opens fascinating perspectives for future explorers, allowing them to take advantage of the natural resources of the Moon. Until now, water extraction methods have been energy -consuming and did not make it possible to transform CO2 into useful resources. The new technology could change the situation.
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Promising technology for creating fuel and oxygen
The technology developed by Wang and its team not only makes it possible to extract lunar soil water, but also to directly transform the CO2 exhaled by astronauts into carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen. These gases can be used to produce fuel and oxygen, essential to the survival of astronauts. This feat is made possible thanks to an innovative photothermic strategy which converts solar light into heat.
The tests were carried out with samples of lunar soil of the Chang’e mission as well as simulated samples, using a reactor filled with CO2 and a light concentration system. Ilmenite, a heavy black mineral, served as a reference to measure the photothermic activity and analyze the mechanisms of the process. However, this technology will still have to overcome the challenges posed by the extreme lunar environment, with its temperature fluctuations, its intense radiation and its low gravity.
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The non -uniform composition of the lunar soil
Another major challenge lies in the heterogeneous composition of the lunar soil. This variability leads to inconsistent properties, which can complicate the use of available resources. In addition, CO2 produced by the breathing of astronauts may not be enough to meet all their water, fuel and oxygen needs. Chinese scientists also point out that current catalytic performance is not enough to fully support human life outside the earth.
The researchers wrote in the review Joule that overcoming these technical obstacles and the costs associated with the development, deployment and exploitation will be crucial to achieve sustainable use of lunar water and extended spatial exploration. It is therefore essential to continue innovating to make these technologies viable in the long term.
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Towards a sustainable spatial exploration
This technological advance opens the way to a more sustainable spatial exploration, by minimizing the need to transport resources from Earth. However, significant challenges remain to be met to guarantee the viability of these technologies in the rigorous lunar environment. Researchers are actively working to improve performance and cost reduction, while looking for solutions to current limitations.
The question remains: how will these innovations transform our approach to spatial exploration and what implications will they have for the future of humanity in the cosmos?
This article is based on verified sources and the assistance of editorial technologies.
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