Humidity Monitor for In-Situ Resource Reutilization on Mars

As human exploration moves deeper into space, it becomes critical to acquire supplies from the environment in-situ. NASA has identified oxygen, water, and methane as the most critical assets that could be acquired by means of in-situ resource utilization (ISRU). Given that the Martian atmosphere is 95.9% CO2, atmospheric processing is the most feasible ISRU method of producing O2, H2O, and CH4. The MOXIE experiment is underway to demonstrate in-situ production of O2 for propellant and for breathing on Mars (Mars 2020 Rover). The gas produced by ISRU CO2 processing needs to be "completely dry" for cryogenic liquefaction, as traces of residual water can impede the efficiency of cryogenic storage and combustion, but commercial technologies for monitoring traces of water in "dry" gases are too bulky and complex for use in space or on Mars. Intelligent Optical Systems (IOS) will develop a compact humidity monitor to detect low ppmv of water in oxygen and methane, designed to meet the requirements for space exploration and operation in combustible environments. The proposed monitor will incorporate a novel luminescent sensor element, which consists of a luminescent indicator dye highly sensitive to water vapor, immobilized in a polymer support. The optical technique is time-based, which gives it excellent reliability and accuracy, and avoids the drawbacks of intensity-based measurements. IOS has developed and delivered humidity sensors for NASA space suit development programs, demonstrating operation in oxygen, nitrogen, and other gases, and has demonstrated that it can monitor low ppm of water. In Phase I, we will demonstrate a novel sensitive element for detecting low ppm of water, focusing on sensitivity, measurement range, and minimal or no maintenance on long term missions. In Phase II, IOS will develop the complete monitoring system, which could also accommodate sensors for other gases of interest in ISRU units (O2, CO2…).