Sustainable Rocket Refueling on Mars and Venus by Utilizing Local Resources – an Overview of Low-Hydrogen Propellant Production

GABOR BIHARI

2026.79.0216

DOI https://doi.org/10.59332/jbis-079-06-0216

One of the most critical questions regarding the human exploration and eventual colonization of our nearest planetary neighbors, Mars and Venus, is whether rocket propellants can be produced in situ using only local resources, in order to enable regular interplanetary transportation. The previously proposed in situ methane fuel production would require large local water resources, which questions the feasibility of the concept on both planets. We demonstrate that, instead of methane, alternative propellants – both fuels and oxidizers – with low or zero hydrogen content can be synthesized on these planets in virtually unlimited quantities. Acetylene and cyanogen derivatives, as well as nitrogen and chlorine oxides, can be produced for this purpose, aided by small amounts of auxiliary substances such as lithium chloride and water, which are recovered at the end of the process..

Keywords: Sustainable, Low-hydrogen, Rocket Fuel, Propellant Production, Mars, Venus