List of ISRU

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This diagram shows a flowchart for In-Situ resources utilisation. Values are for a settlement of about 1000 people.

The idea of In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) is essential for a Martian colony. As part of the Mars Direct initiative it aims at the production of propellant material for a Mars return mission. The following issues are specifically considered:

• Sabatier/Water Electrolysis Process (methane fuel, CH4)
• Reverse Water-Gas Shift Reaction (CO and hydrocarbons)
• Fischer-Tropsch Reaction (hydrocarbons)
• Water Electrolysis (Hydrogen-Oxygen)
• Glass production (SiO2)
• Steel production
• Atmospheric compression and separation (N2,CO2,O2,Ar)
• Water treatment (Water)
• Carbon dioxide electrolysis (CO and hydrocarbons)
• Atmosphere absorption methods

ISRU is also part of the NASA reference mission as well as the SpaceX Mars colonisation plans.

Web links

• Clark, David L.: In-Situ Propellant Production on Mars: A Sabatier/Electrolysis Demonstration Plant