Two new projects on plasma technologies for Mars exploration

Published on Sept. 28, 2026, 7:33 p.m.

IPFN will coordinate two newly research projects focused on the development of plasma technologies for oxygen production and resource utilisation on Mars: ARES (Applied Research and Engineering for Space Resources) and PERSEUS (Plasma Engineering for Resource Separation and Utilization in Space) represent approximately €370k in combined funding.

The projects build on several years of plasma science research developed within the N-PRiME group at IPFN and will explore complementary approaches to the development of technologies for future space exploration. According to the projects’ coordinator, Tiago Silva, Investigator at N-PRiME/IPFN and Visiting Assistant Professor in the Physics Department at Técnico, the projects represent “an important opportunity to bring new experimental activities to Portugal”.

The ARES project will run for three years and is supported with €150k through the PROSSE programme of the Portuguese Space Agency, under ESA’s PRODEX programme. It will investigate the coupling of plasma processes with solid oxide electrolysis cells to explore direct plasma-electrochemical oxygen production from resources available on Mars. The work will focus on the development of the plasma processes and electrochemical systems required for this approach.

The PERSEUS project, funded through the 2026 MIT–Portugal Program Joint Projects call, has been awarded approximately €220k in combined funding. The one-year collaboration with MIT will combine experimental research and modelling of two complementary plasma systems: MW solid-state discharges and dielectric barrier discharges. The project will also strengthen collaboration between the two institutions through student mobility and the exchange of expertise.

“A major focus will be involving students and early-career researchers in the design and operation of a dedicated plasma reactor, as well as in the development of optical diagnostics”, says Tiago Silva. ARES and PERSEUS are expected to start by the end of 2026.

More info here.