Key facts
- Catalyst turns carbon dioxide into methanol.
- Methanol can be used as fuel for electricity, heating, and power on Mars.
Chinese space scientists are developing technology that could allow future astronauts on Mars to produce their own rocket fuel from the planet's atmosphere. A team at the Deep Space Exploration Laboratory in Hefei has created a catalyst capable of converting carbon dioxide, which constitutes over 95% of the Martian atmosphere, into methanol. This liquid fuel could be used for various purposes, including generating electricity, providing heating, and powering equipment on Mars.