India’s space aspirations take a significant leap as the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) achieves a milestone, successfully harnessing power from a hydrogen fuel cell in space. This groundbreaking test, conducted aboard the orbital platform POEM3, signifies a pivotal step toward enabling manned space missions and eventual space station establishment by 2035.
ACCELERATING TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT FOR SPACE STATIONS
India’s ambitious plan to launch a fully operational space station by 2035 gains momentum with ISRO’s recent accomplishment. The test, conducted utilizing a 100W class polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell-based power system aboard the PSLV-C58 vehicle on January 1, 2024, marks a crucial stride in space technology advancement.
FUEL CELL PERFORMANCE AND SIGNIFICANCE
During the test phase, the fuel cell demonstrated its capability by generating 180W of power from stored hydrogen and oxygen gases. ISRO’s data collection throughout this endeavour promises valuable insights for the design and development of future space systems, enhancing mission efficiency and reliability.
HYDROGEN FUEL CELLS: A PARADIGM SHIFT IN SPACE TECHNOLOGY
The utilization of hydrogen fuel cells in space missions presents multifaceted advantages. Notably, these cells produce energy with only water vapour as a by-product, ensuring a clean and efficient power source. ISRO highlights the direct conversion of fuels into electricity without intermediate steps, emphasizing the inherent efficiency of this technology. Furthermore, the high energy density of hydrogen makes it an optimal choice for confined spacecraft and space station environments.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT AND FUTURE PROSPECTS
While fuel cells have been integral to space missions since the 1960s, ISRO’s recent success propels the technology toward unprecedented applications. Previous instances, such as the use of PEM fuel cells on the Gemini V spacecraft in 1965, laid the groundwork for current advancements. The integration of cryogenic hydrogen and oxygen tanks storing reactants showcases the evolution of space power systems.
BEYOND SPACE: SOCIETAL IMPLICATIONS
Fuel cell technology extends its potential beyond space missions, offering promising applications in societal settings. The efficiency and emission-free nature of these cells position them as viable alternatives for vehicle engines and standby power systems, revolutionizing transportation with comparable range and recharge times to conventional engines.
ISRO’s breakthrough not only signifies a milestone in space technology but also underscores the transformative potential of hydrogen fuel cells in enabling emission-free transportation and addressing power and water needs in space missions.
With ISRO’s successful utilization of hydrogen fuel cells, the future of space missions and societal applications takes a giant leap forward. This achievement not only validates the efficiency of fuel cell technology in space but also heralds a new era of cleaner, more sustainable energy solutions for humanity’s exploratory ventures and daily life on Earth.
POWER GENERATION IN SPACE; WHAT ARE HYDROGEN FUEL CELLS?
A regenerative fuel cell (RFC) is a device that can operate as both an electrolyser and a fuel cell. RFCs are also known as secondary fuel cells.
Fuel cells, such as Regenerative Fuel Cells (RFCs) and Unitized Regenerative Fuel Cells (URFCs), are indeed crucial components in space vehicles due to their ability to efficiently generate electrical power while minimizing space and weight. This technology is widely used in various space applications, including launch vehicles, Earth-orbiting spacecraft, space shuttles, crew return vehicles, astronaut equipment, planetary spacecraft, landers, rovers, and penetrators.
RFCs utilize hydrogen and oxygen to produce both water and electrical power. The process involves electrolyzing water using an external power source to replenish the hydrogen and oxygen, making it a sustainable energy storage solution. This is particularly advantageous in space missions where efficient use of resources is crucial.
The use of fuel cells and batteries in space applications is driven by the need for reliable and lightweight power sources to support the electronic devices and systems onboard spacecraft. The versatility of fuel cells, especially in regenerative forms, allows them to operate similarly to secondary batteries, providing a continuous and replenishable power source for extended missions.
