A technology suite initially developed to support human life and rocket propulsion on Mars has transitioned into a practical solution for Earth-based industries facing carbon dioxide supply shortages. The innovation, which traces its origins to NASA-funded research in the 1990s, was designed to capture Martian atmospheric CO2 to produce methane fuel and water.
Pioneer Astronautics, led by Robert Zubrin, developed compact, automated systems for these space-based resource tasks. Following this, Zubrin founded Pioneer Energy to adapt these subsystems for the oil and gas sector. Recognizing the potential for carbon management, the company developed a recovery system specifically for the brewing industry, which produces CO2 as a byproduct of fermentation. This system allows breweries to capture and reuse the gas for carbonation, a capability that became critical for businesses like the Maine Beer Company during the 2021 supply chain disruptions.
The technology eventually moved to Earthly Labs, a company founded by Amy George in 2016, which secured an exclusive license for the recovery system. Under George’s leadership, the application of the technology expanded beyond breweries to include wineries, distilleries, and energy companies looking to monetize captured emissions. Furthermore, the system has been adapted for use in helium production, where it assists in separating gases to isolate helium for the manufacturing of microchips and fiber-optic cables.
In 2021, Earthly Labs was acquired by Chart Industries Inc. The parent company has since utilized its expertise in cryogenic engineering to scale the technology for larger industrial applications, including power plants, helping to mitigate the impact of ongoing CO2 market volatility.
Source: NASA
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