MicroCATS in space

Scientists at

, which is operated by Battelle for the US Department of Energy, are developing lightweight, compact microchemical and thermal systems for NASA applications.

These microchemical and thermal systems, also known as MicroCATS, configure such things as microchannel absorbers, reactors, separators and heat exchangers to produce the propellant from resources found on Mars and the moon. In addition, the system will also be designed to regenerate breathable air for life support. The NASA contract is valued at $13.7 million over four years.

"Further development of the microchannel architecture makes this all feasible," says Kriston Brooks, PNNL principal investigator. "Our ultimate goal is then to use the same microtechnology principles on a larger scale to provide propellant for a manned mission to Mars in the 2030 timeframe."

PNNL's mission supports the US President's new vision for space exploration. President Bush pledged to return to the moon by 2020 in preparation for future human exploration of Mars and other distant destinations in his January 2004 address at NASA headquarters.