One of the biggest challenges of space exploration has always been a very simple human need: how will astronauts breathe far from Earth? On the International Space Station, oxygen is created by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity. On Earth, gravity makes the bubbles float away easily, but in space there is no gravity, so the bubbles stick to the equipment and cause problems. To get around this, astronauts currently rely on heavy spinning machines called centrifuges, but these use a lot of power and take up precious space. Now, for the first time, scientists backed by NASA have developed a lighter, simpler, and smarter solution using magnets to make oxygen in space.
The problem with current oxygen systems used by NASA
Life in space depends on reliable oxygen supplies. On Earth, this is easy because nature does the hard work for us, but in space it is very different. The main method used is called electrolysis, where water is split into hydrogen and oxygen. The oxygen is used for breathing, while hydrogen can be vented or reused. But in space, without gravity, the gas bubbles do not separate naturally, and this makes the system less efficient. Engineers solved this by creating centrifuges that spin to mimic gravity, but these machines are bulky, heavy, and consume too much energy, which is not practical for missions to the Moon or Mars.
The magnetic breakthrough for oxygen in space
A team led by Alvaro Romero-Calvo from Georgia Tech, supported by NASA’s Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) program, has now found a better way. Instead of spinning machines, they used magnets to push bubbles away from the equipment. This works because of two physical effects called diamagnetism and magnetohydrodynamics, but in simple terms, the magnets control where the bubbles go without any moving parts. Tests at Germany’s famous Bremen Drop Tower, which creates brief moments of weightlessness, showed the magnetic system was up to 240% more effective than existing methods. That is a huge leap for something so simple.
From research idea to space-ready technology
Romero-Calvo first studied the idea of using magnets for oxygen generation during his PhD research. What began as theory has now turned into working experiments, with support from NASA, the German Aerospace Center (DLR), and universities in Germany and the UK. The next step is to test the system in rockets and eventually on the International Space Station to prove that it can run for long periods of time. If successful, it could soon become a standard part of space life-support systems.
Significance for the Moon and Mars
Future astronauts will not be able to carry all the oxygen they need from Earth since it would be far too heavy and expensive. Instead, they will have to make oxygen locally using water found in lunar ice or Martian soil. A lightweight, reliable, and low-power system based on magnets could make this possible. This technology could support astronauts living on the Moon, building bases on Mars, or even powering future space hotels and industrial outposts. It could also free up spacecraft storage for more important cargo like food, scientific equipment, and medical supplies.
A small idea with big potential
While rockets usually steal the spotlight, technologies like oxygen systems are equally vital for human survival in space. Without air to breathe, exploration simply is not possible. This new magnetic technique shows how simple science can solve one of humanity’s most difficult problems and bring us closer to living beyond Earth. As NASA prepares for the Artemis missions to the Moon and future human missions to Mars, the ability to make oxygen safely and efficiently will be one of the keys to success. With magnets helping astronauts breathe, the dream of living on other worlds feels closer than ever.
