What is the critical long-term argument supporting the widespread adoption of methane for deep space exploration missions like Mars?
Answer
Its potential for In-Situ Resource Utilization ($ ext{ISRU}$) on Mars using local atmospheric $ ext{CO}_2$.
Methane can be produced on Mars by reacting atmospheric carbon dioxide ($ ext{CO}_2$) with hydrogen derived from subsurface water ice via the Sabatier reaction, making return trips feasible without launching all return fuel from Earth.
Related Questions
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