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1st Time Oxygen Produced from Mars – ‘Perseverance’ Mars Mission

*In February 2021, NASA’s Perseverance Rover spacecraft landed on Mars. Has produced oxygen from Mars with a device called a ‘moxie’.

*This is the first time that oxygen has been produced from another planet.

*The MOXIE device produced 5 grams of oxygen from carbon dioxide, which is enough for an astronaut to breathe on Mars for 10 minutes.

*Oxygen atoms are extracted from carbon dioxide molecules using intense heat by electrolysis.

*Mars atmosphere is about 95% carbon dioxide

*Oxygen production is one of the most important on Mars. Oxygen is a source of air for astronauts and an essential fuel for a rocket to help astronauts return to Earth.

*MOXIE is sponsored by NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) and Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate.