Toward Building Sustainable Mars Infrastructure: A CO ₂ ‐Breathing Plasma Thruster for Orbit Maintenance and In Situ Oxygen Generation

This study explores a dual-use CO₂-breathing plasma thruster capable of operating in very low Martian orbits (80-160 km), delivering electric propulsion and in situ oxygen generation. Experimental results demonstrate a thrust of over 1 N at input powers ranging from 0.1 to 1 kW across varying discharge frequencies. Optical emission spectroscopy reveals strong emission at 777.1 nm corresponding to atomic oxygen, along with spectral features of CO and CO₂, confirming the effective dissociation of CO₂ within the plasma. These findings support the viability of propulsion systems as multifunctional platforms for future Mars missions, enabling both aerial/ground mobility and human habitats without stored propellant gas.