In a groundbreaking initiative that could reshape the future of space exploration, two Japanese companies are set to launch a mission by the end of this year with the ambitious goal of producing hydrogen on the moon.
The companies, Takasago Thermal Engineering and ispace, are collaborating to send a specially designed mini electrolyzer to the lunar surface. This cutting-edge machine, created by Takasago, is built to withstand the extreme conditions of space travel, including the intense vibrations of rocket liftoff and the challenges of operating in low gravity. Once it reaches the moon, the electrolyzer will be remotely operated from ispace's Mission Control Center in Tokyo.
"We began studying hydrogen nearly two decades ago, and now we're developing a large-scale electrolyzer," said Hiroyuki Muraoka, Takasago Thermal Engineering’s executive officer, in an interview with CNBC Tech: The Edge. "What we accomplish in space will give us the technology and skills to stand out from our competitors."
The upcoming mission, scheduled for launch in the fourth quarter of 2024, will involve transporting a small amount of Earth water to the moon to produce hydrogen via electrolysis. If the experiment succeeds, Takasago plans to scale up future missions to produce hydrogen directly from lunar water.
This mission is experimental, but the data collected could open the door to collaborations with other companies interested in the business potential of space-based hydrogen production. The electrolyzer will be housed in ispace's lander, an improved version of the company’s previous model that, despite a successful launch in 2022, failed to land on the moon. Alongside the electrolyzer, the lander will carry a rover designed to explore the lunar surface and collect data. The rover will also provide solar-generated power to the electrolyzer.
If the mission succeeds, it could set the stage for using hydrogen as a propellant for future spacecraft, revolutionizing the logistics of deep space exploration. The concept of a lunar "gas station" could one day enable extended missions to destinations as distant as Mars. Mission 2 is set to launch aboard a SpaceX rocket later this year, with ispace already planning future lunar landings, including Mission 3. The success of this mission could mark the beginning of a new era in space exploration and innovation.
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