Astronauts could use methane-based rocket fuel to return from Mars: Study

One of stumbling blocks in sending humans to Mars is how astronauts will carry enough rocket fuel to return safely back to Earth. challenge may have found its solution in research carried out by a group of scientists at University of California. study suggests astronauts could use methane to make ir rocket fuel to start ir journey back to Earth. A team of scientists led by Houlin Xin, an assistant professor in physics & astronomy, have discovered a more efficient way to make methane-based rocket fuel on Mars. 

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Scientists have me process more efficient

idea of creating methane-based rocket fuel is not new and was initially suggested by billionaire Elon Musk and his team at SpaceX. It utilised a solar infrastructure to generate electricity, resulting in electrolysis of carbon dioxide, which, when mixed with water from ice found on Mars, produces methane. International Space Station (ISS) uses method to make breathable oxygen. 

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However, issue is a two-stage process requiring large facilities to operate efficiently. Xin and his team have come up with a single-stage method that uses anatomically dispersed zinc to act as a syntic enzyme, catalysing carbon dioxide and initialising process. process developed by Xin and his team doesn't require much space can efficiently produce methane using materials and under conditions similar to those found on surface of Mars.

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" zinc is fundamentally a great catalyst. It has time, selectivity, and portability – a big plus for space travel. process we developed bypasses water-to-hydrogen process, and inste efficiently converts CO2 into methane with high selectivity. Lots of engineering and research is needed before this can be fully implemented. But results are very promising," Xin said in a statement. 

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