The potential of catalysis for closing the loop in human space exploration

Abstract

This mini-review provides a perspective on how catalysis can contribute to the challenge of human space exploration, i.e. to the establishment of a space habitat on the Moon in the near future and the realization of a journey to Mars in the far future. The role of catalysis for space exploration is reviewed along elemental resource provisions for human life that are based on catalytic chemical processes. As a secondary effect, learning about catalysis under the high constraints of the sustainability requirements inherent to long-term space missions can be beneficial for the advancement of currently developed catalytic processes for a green, circular economy on Earth. In-depth research into catalysis for space applications could therefore also provide answers to urgent industrial, environmental and social sustainability challenges on our planet e.g., as expressed by the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals. Even for today’s short-term space missions, catalysis already plays a key role in the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) on the International Space Station (ISS) and moreover, in fuel and propellant synthesis as well as the recycling of combustion products such as CO2.