Scientists have announced the development of an AI-powered robot chemist with the ability to synthesise oxygen-producing compounds from meteorites originating from Mars. This breakthrough carries profound implications for future Mars missions, particularly in terms of optimising resources and reducing the need to transport oxygen from Earth.

Future crewed missions to Mars demand a strategic approach to oxygen production, vital not only for sustaining life but also for fueling rockets.

The key lies in leveraging the rich deposits of frozen water ice on Mars, presenting an opportunity to harness local resources efficiently, according to Space.com.

Researchers employed an AI chemist to explore water-splitting catalysts using samples from various categories of Martian meteorites.

The robot, equipped with a laser-scanning mechanism, identified millions of molecules derived from six metallic elements found in the rocks—iron, nickel, manganese, magnesium, aluminium, and calcium.

Operating autonomously, the AI chemist swiftly synthesised and tested 243 different molecules within six weeks, demonstrating a remarkable speed unattainable through conventional methods. The top-performing catalyst, capable of splitting water in Mars-like temperatures, emerged from this accelerated and autonomous experimentation.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/trouble-in-space-soaring-costs-of-nasas-mars-sample-return-mission-risks-other-projects-657819">Also read |&nbsp;Trouble in space: Soaring costs of NASA's Mars Sample Return Mission risk other significant projects</a>

<h2>AI's impact on scientific discovery</h2>

The efficiency showcased in this study highlights the transformative role of AI in scientific discovery. The researchers emphasise that the AI-driven approach significantly outpaces traditional trial-and-error methods, estimating a potential 2,000-year timeline for a human scientist to achieve similar results.

While celebrating AI's prowess, scientists also stress on the importance of human guidance in shaping the AI's capabilities.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/some-stars-are-leaving-our-milky-way-galaxy-but-why-whats-the-crisis-657520">Also read |&nbsp;Some stars are breaking up with our Milky Way galaxy. But why?</a>

The next frontier involves adapting the AI chemist to operate under diverse Martian conditions beyond temperature variations, considering atmospheric composition, air density, humidity, and gravity.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Scientists have announced the development of an AI-powered robot chemist with the ability to synthesise oxygen-producing compounds from meteorites originating from Mars.

Scientists have announced the development of an AI-powered robot chemist with the ability to synthesise oxygen-producing compounds from meteorites originating from Mars. This breakthrough carries profound implications for future Mars missions, particularly in terms of optimising resources and reducing the need to transport oxygen from Earth. Future crewed missions to Mars demand a strategic approach to oxygen production, vital not only for sustaining life but also for fueling rockets. The key lies in leveraging the rich deposits of frozen water ice on Mars, presenting an opportunity to harness local resources efficiently, according to Space.com. Researchers employed an AI chemist to explore water-splitting catalysts using samples from various categories of Martian meteorites. The robot, equipped with a laser-scanning mechanism, identified millions of molecules derived from six metallic elements found in the rocks—iron, nickel, manganese, magnesium, aluminium, and calcium. Operating autonomously, the AI chemist swiftly synthesised and tested 243 different molecules within six weeks, demonstrating a remarkable speed unattainable through conventional methods. The top-performing catalyst, capable of splitting water in Mars-like temperatures, emerged from this accelerated and autonomous experimentation. Also read | Trouble in space: Soaring costs of NASA's Mars Sample Return Mission risk other significant projects AI's impact on scientific discovery The efficiency showcased in this study highlights the transformative role of AI in scientific discovery. The researchers emphasise that the AI-driven approach significantly outpaces traditional trial-and-error methods, estimating a potential 2,000-year timeline for a human scientist to achieve similar results. While celebrating AI's prowess, scientists also stress on the importance of human guidance in shaping the AI's capabilities. Also read | Some stars are breaking up with our Milky Way galaxy. But why? The next frontier involves adapting the AI chemist to operate under diverse Martian conditions beyond temperature variations, considering atmospheric composition, air density, humidity, and gravity. (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists can now produce oxygen on Mars, all thanks to an AI-powered robot chemist

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/some-of-isros-computers-used-for-web-surfing-were-affected-by-malware-260328">The Indian Space Research Organisation</a> (ISRO) has scheduled the launch of their next satellite for later this month.

According to ISRO's website, India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, PSLV-C47 will launch Cartosat-3 and 13 commercial nanosatellites into Sun Synchronous orbit from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

The launch is tentatively scheduled for 0928 am on November 25, 2019, subject to weather conditions.

PSLV-C47 is the 21st flight of PSLV series by ISRO. It rests in 'XL' configuration, with 6 solid strap-on motors.&nbsp;

Cartosat-3 satellite is a third-generation agile advanced satellite having high-resolution imaging capability. &nbsp;The satellite will be placed in an orbit of 509 km at an inclination of 97.5 degrees, from where it will send crisp images to the earth.

Watch: ISRO fixes the date for Cartosat-3 launch

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/isro-fixed-a-date-time-for-launch-of-cartosat-3-and-13-commercial-nanosatellites-263250/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

As part of a commercial arrangement with NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), and Department of Space, PSLV-C47 will also carry 13 commercial nanosatellites from the United States of America.

This will be the 74th launch vehicle mission from SDSC SHAR, Sriharikota.

Later, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/chandrayaan-2-not-the-end-isro-will-pull-off-soft-landing-in-near-future-k-sivan-259498">ISRO will launch two more surveillance satellites</a> - Risat-2BR1 and Risat-2BR2 in December. The organisation has already launched two surveillance satellites Risat-2B and EMISAT on May 22 and April 1 respectively.

ISRO took a six-month hiatus from launching satellites owing to the moon mission called Chandrayaan-2.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has scheduled the launch of their next satellite for later this month. According to ISRO's website, India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, PSLV-C47 will launch Cartosat-3 and 13 commercial nanosatellites into Sun Synchronous orbit from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has scheduled the launch of their next satellite for later this month. According to ISRO's website, India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, PSLV-C47 will launch Cartosat-3 and 13 commercial nanosatellites into Sun Synchronous orbit from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The launch is tentatively scheduled for 0928 am on November 25, 2019, subject to weather conditions. PSLV-C47 is the 21st flight of PSLV series by ISRO. It rests in 'XL' configuration, with 6 solid strap-on motors. Cartosat-3 satellite is a third-generation agile advanced satellite having high-resolution imaging capability. The satellite will be placed in an orbit of 509 km at an inclination of 97.5 degrees, from where it will send crisp images to the earth. Watch: ISRO fixes the date for Cartosat-3 launch As part of a commercial arrangement with NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), and Department of Space, PSLV-C47 will also carry 13 commercial nanosatellites from the United States of America. This will be the 74th launch vehicle mission from SDSC SHAR, Sriharikota. Later, ISRO will launch two more surveillance satellites - Risat-2BR1 and Risat-2BR2 in December. The organisation has already launched two surveillance satellites Risat-2B and EMISAT on May 22 and April 1 respectively. ISRO took a six-month hiatus from launching satellites owing to the moon mission called Chandrayaan-2.

ISRO to launch Cartosat-3, 13 nano satellites on November 25

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Scientists can now produce oxygen on Mars, all thanks to an AI-powered robot chemist

ISRO to launch Cartosat-3, 13 nano satellites on November 25