Chinese Astronauts Create Rocket Fuel in Space Using “Artificial Photosynthesis”

Chinese astronauts aboard the Tiangong space station have successfully created rocket fuel using a groundbreaking process called artificial photosynthesis. According to the South China Morning Post, the crew of the Shenzhou-19 mission produced oxygen and ethylene, a key hydrocarbon for spacecraft propellants, using semiconductor catalysts.

The technology mimics natural photosynthesis, converting carbon dioxide and water into useful resources. Unlike conventional oxygen-production methods like electrolysis, which require large amounts of energy, this new approach operates at room temperature and standard atmospheric pressure, significantly reducing power consumption.

State-run CCTV highlighted the potential of this method for sustaining human life in space and fueling long-duration missions. By harnessing in-situ resources, astronauts could generate oxygen and fuel on demand, reducing reliance on costly Earth-bound supply missions.

This innovation could prove critical for China’s ambitious space goals, including establishing a lunar base by 2035. A steady supply of breathable air and rocket fuel would be essential for deep-space travel and return missions from the Moon and beyond.

While the experiment is promising, technical details remain scarce, and its feasibility in extreme environments like Mars is still uncertain. However, if successful, artificial photosynthesis could revolutionize space exploration, giving China a major advantage in the race to establish self-sustaining extraterrestrial habitats.

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