New Delhi,In a groundbreaking achievement, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully conducted a test to generate power from hydrogen and oxygen gases in space. This key test was carried out on ISRO’s orbital platform, the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM) 3, which was launched as part of the PSLV-C58 mission on January 1.
During the test on POEM, a 100 W class Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell based Power System (FCPS) demonstrated its capabilities by generating 180 W of power from stored hydrogen and oxygen gases in high-pressure vessels. This significant development marks a leap forward for human missions in space.
The FCPS payload, designed by the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), utilizes hydrogen fuel cells that produce electricity directly, working on electrochemical principles similar to batteries but without the combustion reactions found in conventional generators. Notably, these fuel cells are emission-free, producing only water and heat as byproducts.
This experiment holds several key implications:
– Hydrogen Fuel Cells, known for their efficiency in directly producing electricity from fuels, present an ideal solution for space missions involving humans.
– The technology has the potential to replace traditional vehicle engines and power standby systems.
– Fuel Cells outperform both batteries and traditional engines, offering rechargeability, comparable range, and fuel recharge time to conventional engines.
ISRO’s POEM, acting as an orbital platform, carries a total of 10 payloads, including successful tests by Indian space startups Dhurva Space and Bellatrix Aerospace. These achievements contribute to India’s growing prominence in space exploration and technology.
An additional VSSC payload, the Silicon-based High Energy Cell, is expected to undergo a key test, further adding to the success of ISRO’s recent endeavors in space exploration.
