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Scaling the Mars Oxygen ISRU experiment (MOXIE) for mars sample return

Space exploration has always faced serious economic challenges corresponding to the huge cost factors that accompany the mass being launched. This issue is a challenge for all previous and upcoming Martian missions, which increases the importance of In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) technologies for future missions. One ISRU technology is being demonstrated by MOXIE, the Mars Oxygen ISRU Experiment. It is being developed by MIT and NASA/JPL as a payload on the Mars 2020 rover to transform the CO2 that makes up 96% of the Martian atmosphere into O2 using solid oxide electrolysis (SOE). This paper proposes ISRU-produced O2 to be used as an oxidizer of the propellant for the Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV) in a Mars Sample Return (MSR) mission or a Human Mars Mission. However, in order to support these missions, the current MOXIE design must be scaled up. This research involves expanding MOXIE to support the mass, volume, and power budget requirements of a potential SpaceX Red Dragon MSR mission, and runs several SimSitu™ tests and simulations on the new modeled system to ensure robust controls and performance on Mars. The research analysis shows the feasibility of supporting the Red Dragon's Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV) using one stack of 18 expanded MOXIE cells consuming around 404 Watts of power. The expanded system would also require a scaled up orbiting scroll compressor with a mass of around 18 kg occupying a volume of ∼3954 cc. This pump would consume 789 Watts of power. This finding can significantly reduce the financial and complexity aspects of this mission and other similar missions by reducing the launch mass. Thus, this research helps emphasize the feasibility and importance of ISRU technologies in the upcoming Martian missions proposed by NASA and SpaceX.