Non-Thermal, Plasma-Assisted Catalytic Reactor for CO2 Methanation

Converting in-situ resources such as CO2, which is the main component of the Mars atmosphere, into methane for rocket propellants can significantly reduce the cost and risk of human exploration while at the same time enabling new mission concepts and long-term exploration sustainability. Methanation of CO2, also called a Sabatier reaction, is hence a key enabling technology required for sustainable and affordable human exploration of Mars.