Renewal of Rock, H2O, and H2: Energy from Water-rock Interactions on Mars

Here we are proposing a renewal of our current grant entitled Rock, H2O and H2: Energy from water-rock interactions on Mars. Extended human exploration of Mars will likely utilize the martian regolith as plant growth medium, wetting the initially dry regolith with liquid water to form soil that can support plant life. This initial wetting of the martian regolith can release valuable resources. We therefore proposed to react Mars simulants with liquid water, to determine the resources available from these interactions, including hydrogen, perchlorate, Fe and Mg. Our initial results are very promising, showing the production of hydrogen and perchlorate. However, multiple questions remain, particularly including the variability of perchlorate and hydrogen production from different simulants, and how water-rock interactions can best be optimized for the martian surface. We are therefore proposing a renewal to test additional conditions, including varying the water: rock ratio, scaling experiments to better interpret conditions on Mars, the effect of temperature, and time. We propose that our current team will continue working on this project, including Co-I Dr. Christopher Adcock, Science PI Dr. Elisabeth Hausrath, and NASA Scientist Dr. Elizabeth Rampe.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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