Elon Musk tweeted that SpaceX plans to launch a program that collects CO2 from the atmosphere and converts it into rocket fuel. (Image Credit: IJRO/pixabay)
On December 13th, Elon Musk tweeted that SpaceX plans to start a program that focuses on extracting CO2 from the atmosphere, converting it into rocket fuel to power spacecraft. Musk added, “Please join if interested” and said the program “will be important for Mars.” Some of his Twitter followers quickly became skeptical toward the proposal, doubting its viability.
Currently, SpaceX is building rockets for deep-space travel, which could also be used to launch humans to Mars. The company plans on drilling for natural gas in Texas to power its spacecraft and rockets. SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket uses kerosene for fuel, which releases carbon dioxide and various other chemicals into the atmosphere.
Previously, Musk announced XPrize Carbon Removal, which rewards $100 million to the best carbon removal technology. Musk’s initiative to produce rocket fuel could use up a lot of energy to break down the molecular bonds and relies on direct air capture (DAC) technology. An Iceland-based DAC plant started operating in September and could remove 4,000 tons per year from the atmosphere, approximately twice the amount of the world’s previous DAC capacity. It's possible. Although rocket launches put the equivalent of a person's lifetime amount of CO2 in the air, this recycling will at least reduce the impact a little.
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