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Updated: Jan 13, 2026

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Published on: August 1, 2017
Toward Building Sustainable Mars Infrastructure: A CO2-Breathing Plasma Thruster for Orbit Maintenance and In Situ
Anmol Taploo1, Guru Sankar Duppada1, Michael Keidar1
1Micro-Propulsion and Nanotechnology Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering George Washington University Washington DC USA.
None:
This study explores a dual-use CO2-breathing plasma thruster capable of operating in very low Martian orbits (80-160 km), delivering electric propulsion and in situ oxygen generation. Experimental results demonstrate a thrust of over 1 N at input powers ranging from 0.1 to 1 kW across varying discharge frequencies. Optical emission spectroscopy reveals strong emission at 777.1 nm corresponding to atomic oxygen, along with spectral features of CO and CO2, confirming the effective dissociation of CO2 within the plasma. These findings support the viability of propulsion systems as multifunctional platforms for future Mars missions, enabling both aerial/ground mobility and human habitats without stored propellant gas.
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