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When oxygen for propulsion and life support needs is extracted from Martian resources, significant savings in launch mass and costs can be attained for both manned and unmanned missions. One method involves oxygen production from the carbon dioxide rich Martian atmosphere using solid oxide electrolysis. This paper presents a brief theory of this process followed by experimental results of the research performed on planar solid oxide electrochemical cells. Analysis and discussion of the experimental results is presented in an attempt to characterize the performance of solid oxide electrolyzers for oxygen separation from carbon dioxide.

The Oxygen Generator Subsystem (OGS) on the next Mars Lander will demonstrate the production of oxygen from Martian atmospheric carbon dioxide using solid oxide electrolysis. The electrolyzer in OGS is based on a Yttria Stabilized Zirconia electrolyte and operates at 750°C. The electrolyzer is thermally cycled during every sol of operation between Mars ambient and operating temperature with a maximum of 15W electrical power. A package for this electrolyzer has been designed, built, and tested. It meets all the requirements of this experiment and weighs only slightly more than 1kg.