Artificial photosynthesis could be the secret to colonizing space

Advances in science pave the way for a promising solution to one of the biggest challenges in space travel: limited oxygen supply.

Photosynthesis, a vital process that has sustained life on Earth for billions of years, is now being replicated artificially, offering revolutionary potential not only for space exploration but also for tackling our planet’s sustainability challenges.

Traditional methods of producing oxygen, such as electrolysis, have been used on the International Space Station (ISS), but they are inefficient and cumbersome. They consume a significant amount of energy, compromising the overall efficiency of the life support system. However, researchers are exploring an alternative approach: artificial photosynthesis.

this new technology Allows direct use of solar energy for oxygen production and recycling of carbon dioxide. By combining these processes in a single device, similar to natural photosynthesis, it is possible to reduce the weight and volume of the system, making it more suitable for space missions. In addition, it is possible to accelerate chemical reactions and increase the efficiency of the process by capturing concentrated solar energy.

“Artificial photosynthesis” devices use semiconductor materials coated with metallic catalysts to reproduce the necessary chemical reactions, replacement of chlorophyll found in plants and algae.

These devices have the ability to operate at ambient temperature and ambient pressure, This makes them ideal for use in habitats on the Moon and Mars..

While direct extraction of oxygen from the lunar soil by high-temperature processes is an alternative, artificial photosynthesis has significant advantages in terms of working conditions. In the case of Mars, where the intensity of sunlight is weaker than on Earth, calculations show that the available light is sufficient for the functionality of these devices.

The benefits of artificial photosynthesis are not limited to space travel. The creation of artificial atmospheres in space and the production of chemicals necessary for long-duration missions are some of the possible applications.

Besides, The knowledge gained in the development of these devices can be applied to address sustainability challenges on Earth.. The production of hydrogen and carbon-based fuels through artificial photosynthesis paves the way for the production of energy-rich chemicals.