Physics

Meteorology

Organic chemistry

Martian surface

Atmosphere (unit)

Exploration of Mars

Chemistry

Martian

Environmental science

Atmosphere of Mars

Oxygen

Mars Exploration Program

Astrobiology

Science Advances

MOXIE [Mars Oxygen In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) Experiment] is the first demonstration of ISRU on another planet, producing oxygen by solid oxide electrolysis of carbon dioxide in the martian atmosphere. A scaled-up MOXIE would contribute to sustainable human exploration of Mars by producing on-site the tens of tons of oxygen required for a rocket to transport astronauts off the surface of Mars, instead of having to launch hundreds of tons of material from Earth’s surface to transport the required oxygen to Mars. MOXIE has produced oxygen seven times between landing in February 2021 and the end of 2021 and will continue to demonstrate oxygen production during night and day throughout all martian seasons. This paper reviews what MOXIE has accomplished and the implications for larger-scale oxygen-producing systems.

Mars Oxygen ISRU Experiment (MOXIE)—Preparing for human Mars exploration