Carbon dioxide as fuel: the idea of ​​SpaceX and Elon Musk

Among the many projects by Elon Musk and SpaceX there is to capture thecarbon dioxide present in the atmosphere to turn it into fuel for their rockets. This element is abundant, far too much and this is causing temperatures to rise globally. Succeeding in this feat would help continue with the private space travel enterprise and help the environment, a particular combination.

The process of capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is theoretically based on an air purifier and the absorption of the element through chemical catalysts, or other similar systems. Obviously CO2 alone is not enough and in fact it would be combined with simple to create a hydrocarbon. A virtuous system would be created, even if it would take a lot of energy for the capture principle, in fact the biggest obstacle to overcome.

Carbon dioxide as a propellant for SpaceX rockets

If on the one hand, if the project were to start successfully, it would be a success for the environment, but obviously there is another aspect to take into consideration. For SpaceX to succeed in this could facilitate colonies on Mars since the atmosphere on the red planet is rich in this element. In fact, as long as you have enough energy, you could making many functions self-sufficient with CO2 and little else.

A single space rocket launch can produce 300 tons of carbon dioxide. SpaceX has made a lot of them, some more useful than others in some respects. Being able to find a way to mitigate this Gargantuan production would also change the image of private space travel, at least from an environmental point of view.