Honda, an automobile manufacturer, has decided to proceed with research and development of a system that produces oxygen and hydrogen from water in outer space and uses it as a power source, etc., together with JAXA = Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.
According to the announcement, Honda and JAXA will collaborate on the development of a system that does not procure water, oxygen, and electricity necessary for living in outer space from the earth, but creates them while in space.
Specifically, it is a circulation type that decomposes water by solar power generation to produce oxygen and hydrogen, and then reacts the two with fuel cell technology to make electricity, and reuses the water generated in this process. It is assumed that the water, oxygen, and electric power generated from this mechanism will be used as a power source for manned facilities and vehicles in outer space.
We will make a prototype system within this fiscal year and verify whether the system functions normally even in an environment different from the earth such as temperature and radiation dose.
In the automobile industry, Toyota Motor Corporation is also developing a manned lunar spacecraft that utilizes fuel cell vehicles in collaboration with JAXA.
At a symposium held online on the 14th, Kazuo Sakurahara, executive chief engineer of Honda R & D, said, "We believe that we can supply sustainable energy that circulates water, oxygen, and hydrogen even in space. Eventually, energy on the ground. I want to give feedback to the system as well. "