The Perseverance rover was able to produce breathable oxygen on Mars for the first time.

NASA Perseverance rover smog “squeeze” breathable oxygen from the atmosphere of Mars. The microwave-sized device produced 122 grams of valuable material. This amount is enough to keep an astronaut alive for three hours.

The rover manufactured the required element using its Mars Oxygen In-Situ Resource Utilization Experiment (MOXIE) device. It generates oxygen by converting carbon dioxide. True, the process is very long - the first batch took two years.

The mechanism works this way: first carbon dioxide is collected, then oxygen atoms are separated from CO2 and tested for purity. After this, those suitable for breathing are placed in a special capsule, and the remains are released into the atmosphere in the form of carbon monoxide. It is noted that this device is also suitable for the production of rocket fuel.

Considering that Mars' atmosphere is 95% carbon dioxide, there will be no shortage of derivative material. But we need to look for ways to speed up the process. And this is not the only problem on the way to conquering the planet. The intense cold on it (the average temperature is -62 °C) can quickly freeze a person without a spacesuit, and the low atmospheric pressure at the same time boils the blood in his veins. Also, do not forget about the high level of carcinogenic radiation.