What critical function does In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) primarily enable for Martian construction?
Answer
Processing Martian resources to create essentials like propellant and building materials, negating extreme launch mass penalties
In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) is identified as a central requirement for building anything substantial on Mars because it allows for the processing of local Martian resources. This process is vital for creating necessary supplies like breathable air, water, and crucially, propellant required for return trips or construction materials. Without ISRU, the necessity of launching every single component, or 'brick and bolt,' from Earth imposes an extreme mass penalty that renders large-scale construction logistically impossible.
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