A Miniature Compressor for In-Situ Resource Utilization on Mars

A key objective for NASA's next rover mission to Mars is the demonstration of oxygen production from atmospheric carbon dioxide. Such a technology demonstration may pave the way for a future sample return mission to the Red Planet as well as possibly a future manned mission to Mars. A necessary component in such a demonstration system is a blower or compressor that can deliver the necessary carbon dioxide mass flow to a production plant. Creare proposes the development of a multistage radial flow compressor that is capable of compressing 400 g/hr to a pressure of up 0.1 Bar. The compressor will be a turbomachine based on our space-qualified vacuum pump technology currently operating on the Curiosity rover in Gale Crater on Mars. In Phase I, we propose to design the compressor and perform benchtop testing. In Phase II, we propose to design and build a full-up multistage system.

The primary application for the compressor proposed is to compress Martian atmospheric carbon dioxide to feed a solid oxide electrolysis system for oxygen production as part of an ISRU plant for the Mars 2020 mission. Furthermore, the same technology will be applicable for larger production plants for a Mars sample return and an eventual Mars human mission. This space qualified compressor may also have applications for other planetary missions to Venus, Enceladus, and Titan, as well as for NASA efforts in the area of atmospheric sampling and climate research.

The commercial potential for a small, high efficiency compressor are numerous. We foresee that this unit will mainly be incorporated in high value analytical instruments for atmospheric sampling and for systems to detect airborne chemical, biological, and nuclear warfare agents.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 4) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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