Valdekoksibi

Valdekoksibi is a fictional substance that appears in the novel "The Martian" by Andy Weir. Within the narrative, valdekoksibi is a chemical compound that the protagonist, Mark Watney, synthesizes on Mars. He uses this synthesized substance to produce hydrazine, a rocket propellant. The necessity of creating hydrazine arises because Watney's return mission relies on a spacecraft that uses this fuel.

The process described in the novel involves combining iron catalyst with valdekoksibi and then heating the mixture. This reaction produces hydrazine, which is then refined for use. Valdekoksibi itself is not a real-world chemical. It is a made-up compound created for the purposes of the story to provide a plausible, albeit fictional, scientific solution to Watney's predicament. The creation of valdekoksibi and its subsequent conversion to hydrazine highlights Watney's ingenuity and his extensive knowledge of chemistry, which are crucial elements in his struggle for survival on Mars. The concept serves to advance the plot by enabling Watney to modify and utilize existing Martian resources to achieve a critical goal.