Human space exploration is presented with multiple challenges, such as the near absence of buoyancy in orbit or the reliable long-term operation of life support systems. The production and management of oxygen and hydrogen are of key importance for long-term space travel and, in particular, for human missions to Mars. However, existing technical solutions fail to meet the reliability and efficiency requirements for such scenarios.
As an alternative, our NASA NIAC Phase I project “Magnetohydrodynamic Drive for Hydrogen and Oxygen Production in Mars Transfer” proposes an efficient water-splitting architecture that combines multiple functionalities into a minimum number of subsystems, hence increasing the overall reliability of the mission. This new approach employs a magnetohydrodynamic electrolytic cell that extracts and separates oxygen and hydrogen gas without moving parts in microgravity, thereby removing the need for a forced water recirculation loop and associated ancillary equipment such as pumps or centrifuges. Preliminary estimations indicate that the integration of functionalities leads to up to 30% mass reductions with respect to the Oxygen Generation Assembly architecture for a 99% reliability level. These values apply to a standard four-crewmember Mars transfer with 3.36 kg oxygen consumption per day.
A dedicated study is underway to assess the feasibility of the concept and its integration into a suitable oxygen production architecture together with our partners at Giner Labs. Its successful development would effectively enable the recycling of water and oxygen in long-term space travel. Additional technologies of interest to NASA and the general public, such as water-based SmallSat propulsion or in-situ resource utilization, would also benefit from the concepts introduced here.
Student Lead:
Theo St. Francis
Conference Papers & Presentations:
- T. St. Francis, Á. Romero-Calvo, “Characterization of a Magnetohydrodynamic Bubble Removal Method for Water Electrolysis in Reduced-Gravity Environments”, 54th International Conference on Environmental Systems, Prague, CZ, July 13-17, 2025, under review
- T. St. Francis, Á. Romero-Calvo, “Design and Testing of a Magnetohydrodynamic Oxygen Generation Cell for Microgravity Operation”, 54th International Conference on Environmental Systems, Prague, CZ, July 13-17, 2025, under review
- M. Monfort-Castillo, Á. Romero-Calvo, “Magnetohydrodynamic Electrolytic Cell for Efficient Oxygen Generation in Microgravity“, 53rd International Conference on Environmental Systems, Louisville, KY, July 21-25, 2024, https://hdl.handle.net/2346/99010
- M. Monfort-Castillo, Á. Romero-Calvo, “Magnetohydrodynamic Drive for Water-Based CubeSat Propulsion”, In AIAA Region II Student Conference, Knoxville, Mar. 27 – 28, 2023. doi: 10.2514/6.2023-71279
Patents:
- Á. Romero-Calvo, “Magnetohydrodynamic Drive for Gas Production in Microgravity”, US Application No. 63/399784, August 2022