CHINA’S SHENZHOU-19 DEMONSTRATES ARTIFICIAL PHOTOSYNTHESIS

PRELIMS BITS

Overview: China’s Shenzhou-19 crew aboard the Tiangong space station successfully demonstrated “artificial photosynthesis” technology, marking a significant breakthrough in space exploration. This technology enables the production of oxygen and rocket fuel ingredients in space, crucial for future missions, including a planned crewed moon landing by 2030.

• Artificial Photosynthesis Technology:
  • Mimics the natural process of photosynthesis by converting sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into oxygen and glucose.
  • Utilizes semiconductor catalysts to produce oxygen and hydrocarbon fuels efficiently at room temperature and atmospheric pressure.
• Key Experiments Conducted:
  • The crew conducted 12 experiments using a drawer-shaped device, focusing on carbon dioxide conversion, gas transport, separation in microgravity, and real-time detection of products.
  • Successful conversion produced ethylene, a potential rocket fuel.
• Implications for Space Exploration:
  • Artificial photosynthesis promises a sustainable resource generation system for long-duration space missions.
  • Reduces reliance on Earth-based supplies, making it vital for exploring distant celestial bodies and human colonization.
• Comparison with Existing Technologies:
  • Unlike the energy-intensive methods used on the ISS (splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen), artificial photosynthesis is more efficient and sustainable for extended missions, offering better long-term viability.