Blue Origin has agreed to use Nimbus Power Systems’ polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) hydrogen fuel cell to facilitate electric power and potable water production in space applications.
Nimbus’ technology reportedly features gravity and momentum-independent water management, a “critical enabler of fuel cell power production in space environments.”
Fuel cells for space applications are designed to react with oxygen and hydrogen to produce electricity, heat and potable water, which is vital for crewed space operations. In comparison, fuel cells used for terrestrial applications are managed using a combination of gravitational and reactant momentum forces.
Nimbus’ solutions feature gravity and momentum-independent water management, which removes product water via a combination of capillary and hydraulic forces that are “uncompromised by the space environment.”
H2 View understands this also decreases system complexity and offers significant weight savings, resulting in more reliable and affordable space operations.
“Nimbus’ fuel cell technology traces its roots back to the crewed Gemini space flights, where reliable operation under zero gravity was first demonstrated,” explained Michael Gorman, CEO of Nimbus.
“This collaboration with Blue Origin combines decades of fuel cell technology advancements, with state-of-the-art crewed space flight systems to serve the rapidly growing market for affordable space products and services.”
John Couluris, Senior Vice-President of Lunar Performance at Blue Origin, added, “Working with Nimbus leverages the latest advances in their terrestrial fuel cell technology to accelerate Blue Origin’s in-house fuel cell solutions for in-space and lunar products.”
Last January, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully tested a 100MW class PEM hydrogen fuel cell system in its orbital platform onboard the PSLV-C58 vehicle.
Read more:PEM hydrogen fuel cell tested onboard Indian satellite launch
How space flight’s hydrogen legacy could shape aviation’s future
Despite this author (nor their parents) being alive to witness the Moon landing of 1969, space flight will remain a constantly thought-provoking part of human exploration.
While the awe-inspiring idea of taking to stars will continue to be the overriding thought, since turning my hand to unravelling and understanding the hydrogen industry, new thoughts and questions emerge.
Although the concept of using hydrogen to fuel aircraft goes back to the 1950s, its role in aviation is still at its dawn. But the energy carrier’s use in space flight and exploration has been a firm part of operations with private and national space organisations.
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