NASA Mars tech originally funded by space research is now being used by commercial industries on Earth to capture and purify carbon dioxide for carbonation and other industrial uses. The adaptation of this space technology addresses supply chain vulnerabilities while helping businesses reduce emissions across multiple sectors.
How does NASA Mars tech carbonate beer?
NASA Mars tech originally funded through Small Business Innovation Research contracts helped Pioneer Astronautics build compact systems to capture carbon dioxide from the Martian atmosphere. Pioneer Energy later adapted these subsystems for industrial use, leading to the Craft Brewery Recovery System to capture and purify carbon dioxide from brewing.
When supply shortages left commercial operations vulnerable to running low on necessary gas, brewers adopted these carbon-capture units to maintain bottling, kegging, and centrifuge operations. The innovation prevents beer from going stale in tanks while securing an independent supply of carbon dioxide directly from fermentation.
Where else is this carbon capture used?
Following an exclusive license obtained by Earthly Labs in 2016 and a subsequent acquisition by Chart Industries Inc. in 2021, the technology expanded beyond craft breweries into wineries, distilleries, helium production, and power plants to capture and scale up industrial gas applications.
Energy companies and helium producers generate carbon dioxide or encounter it mixed with underground deposits during extraction. By utilizing these adapted capture units, industrial facilities can separate and repurpose gases for manufacturing microchips, fiber-optic cables, and other commercial goods.
