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The Relevance of Mars Samples to Planning for Potential Future In-Situ Resource UtilizationConsiderable recent planning has focused on the potential importance of Mars in-situ resources to support future human missions. While atmospheric CO2 provides a source of oxygen, the regolith offers other potential resources. The most significant surface asset is water, which could be used for propellant generation, life support, habitat sustainment, and agriculture. In regard to the latter, the regolith could also provide a source of nutrients to supplement terrestrial fertilizers and/or act as a substrate to buffer plant roots. Local material could also be used as feedstock for construction, including for structures, roads, and additive manufacturing. Native salts (e.g. perchlorates or chlorides) in the Martian regolith could be used as water absorbents for closed loop life support systems or for capture of the limited atmospheric water.
Document ID
20180003293
Acquisition Source
Johnson Space Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Date Acquired
June 4, 2018
Publication Date
April 25, 2018
Subject Category
Space Sciences (General)
Report/Patent Number
JSC-E-DAA-TN52613
Meeting Information
Meeting: International Mars Sample Return Conference
Location: Berlin
Country: Germany
Start Date: April 25, 2018
End Date: April 27, 2018
Sponsors: European Space Agency
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNA16BD26C
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
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