Summary

Description

A key objective for NASA's next rover mission to Mars is the demonstration of oxygen production from atmospheric carbon dioxide. Such a technology demonstration may pave the way for a future sample return mission to the Red Planet as well as possibly a future manned mission to Mars. A necessary component in such a demonstration system is a blower or compressor that can deliver the necessary carbon dioxide mass flow to a production plant. Creare proposes the development of a multistage radial flow compressor that is capable of compressing 400 g/hr to a pressure of up 0.1 Bar. The compressor will be a turbomachine based on our space-qualified vacuum pump technology currently operating on the Curiosity rover in Gale Crater on Mars. In Phase I, we propose to design the compressor and perform benchtop testing. In Phase II, we propose to design and build a full-up multistage system.