China's Shenzhou-19 Crew Successfully Generates Oxygen and Rocket Fuel in Space Using Artificial Photosynthesis.
Science and Technology
In February 2025, the Shenzhou-19 crew aboard China's Tiangong space station, located in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), successfully generated Oxygen (Oâ‚‚) and key Rocket Fuel components using Artificial Photosynthesis (AP).
- This marks the first-ever in-orbit application of this technique, supporting China's goal of achieving a crewed moon landing by 2030.
- Artificial Photosynthesis is a chemical process that replicates natural photosynthesis to produce hydrogen from water using solar energy.
- The Shenzhou-19 crew, consisting of Cai Xuzhe, Song Lingdong, and Wang Haoze, was launched from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center (JSLC), China, on October 30, 2024. In January 2025, the China Manned Space Agency announced that the Taikonauts aboard the mission had successfully produced ethylene, a key component of rocket fuel, along with oxygen.
Main Point :- (i) The Shenzhou-19 crew conducted 12 experiments focused on resource production and human survival in space. Using a specialized "drawer-like" device equipped with a semiconductor catalyst, the astronauts successfully converted carbon dioxide (COâ‚‚) and water (Hâ‚‚O) into oxygen and ethylene, a key component of rocket fuel, mimicking natural photosynthesis. This marks a significant step in space resource utilization.
(ii) The experiment demonstrated a more energy-efficient method compared to traditional electrolysis used on the International Space Station (ISS). Artificial photosynthesis offers a sustainable way to produce vital resources for astronauts, reducing dependence on Earth for supplies and making long-duration space missions more feasible.
(iii) China plans to establish a Moon base near the lunar south pole by 2035, where this technology could enable in-situ production of oxygen and fuel from lunar water. Additionally, China, in collaboration with Russia, aims to use robotics to construct a nuclear reactor for powering the Moon base, advancing long-term space exploration goals.
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President : Xi Jinping
PM : Li Qiang
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