Even the carbon monoxide by-product of this process could be used for a moderate performance rocket fuel. Life support technologies routinely deal with the conversion of CO2 to other compounds, including methane. Discovered nearly one hundred years ago, this process is still used in many chemical plants today. Bringing only a small amount of hydrogen, a Mars crew could apply this technology to the Martian atmosphere and produce oxygen, methane and water. As described earlier, a rocket engine using methane and oxygen could be developed for use in both lunar and Martian spacecraft.
Planetary scientists agree that water is bountiful on the Martian polar icecaps.
It is likely, if not certain, that water is available elsewhere on the planet, perhaps as a permafrost layer or bound as a mineral hydrate. Such water sources could be utilized for human consumption and for producing hydrogen and oxygen propellant for the return orbiting launches and flight back to Earth. Telerobotic mining at distances as far as Mars is not yet well developed, however and at the more accessible latitudes near the equator, any water is likely to be found at a lower depth, compounding the problem. The two moons of Mars, Phobos and Deimos, may also be rich in water. Processing at the extremely low gravity present on these bodies will require some innovative equipment.