China’s Tiangong research has made a major breakthrough, successfully producing oxygen and rocket fuel essential for long-haul crewed missions. A series of 12 experiments on board the space station have used semiconductor catalysts to convert carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and ethylene, a hydrocarbon that can be used as propellant.
The tests simulated natural photosynthesis using engineered physical and chemical methods, utilizing carbon dioxide resources in confined spaces or extraterrestrial atmospheres. The results will provide critical technical support for human survival and exploration in outer space.
This breakthrough marks an essential step towards long-haul crewed missions, bringing the country closer to realizing its space exploration ambitions.
Source: https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3295452/chinas-tiangong-research-generates-oxygen-rocket-fuel-major-space-exploration-leap