Methane production
Methane production
"The Case for Mars", as part of its "live off the land" approach, described using the Sabatier reaction to make fuel (methane) on Mars. The ingredients for the Sabatier Reaction are carbon dioxide (from the atmosphere) and hydrogen (electrolyzed from water, a process that also produces oxygen). The Starship is designed to run on methane and oxygen, and there are indications that SpaceX is working on electrolysis and Sabotier reactors to enable refueling on Mars. Water ice deposits on Mars are critical for methane production.