KSC In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) Technologies

(1) Identify and evaluate CO2/CO separation technologies that are compatible with the high operating temperatures (700-850oC) of the Solid Oxide Electrolysis process. (2) Identify and evaluate CO2 Acquisition technology options. (3) MARCO POLO Atmospheric Processing Module (APM): verify the operation of the CO2 pump and the associated storage system, complete setup and testing of the Sabatier subsystem and operate it with the CO2 freezers to ready the APM for a potential analog demonstration with other components of MARCO POLO at KSC and/or JSC.

NASA funded: MARCO POLO can be the starting point for the new Advanced Exploration Systems (AES) ISRU project for a long-term ground demonstration of a Mars ISRU system to produce oxygen at 0.200 kg/h or more. NASA unfunded: The MARCO POLO Atmospheric Processing Module (APM) provides a technology demonstration of one part of a Mars Propellant Production System capable of producing 0.44 kg of methane and 1.77 kg of oxygen per 14 h day, which would be sufficient for a small Mars Sample Return mission. The ground prototype could lead to an ISRU system on the proposed 2024/2026 Mars Surface Pathfinder that would demonstrate key technologies for crewed missions.

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.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.