HYDROGEN-OXYGEN PRIMARY EXTRATERRESTRIAL (HOPE) FUEL CELL PROGRAM

Abstract

The HOPE (Hydrogen-Oxygen Primary Extraterrestrial) Fuel Cell Program is a multi-phase effort to advance the state-of-the-art of fuel cells by obtaining permanence data under actual space conditions. Phase I of this program resulted in the development and test of a 35-cell 25-watt/28-volt space configuration fuel cell module. The HOPE spacecraft, fuel supply tanks, pneumatics, and thermal systems were designed and fabricated to provide operating capability in orbit for 7 days at 50 watts and be compatible with the Blue Scout launch vehicle. A series of development tests was conducted to verify water removal, thermal design, and 30-day shelf-life of the fuel cell. The 35-cell module was subjected to a series of performance tests. During the last test, it performed continuously for 7 days at an average of 27 watts/29.5 volts. Following this test, the module delivered rated power without interr ption during vibration tests simulating Blue Scout booster environment.

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 1962
Accession Number
AD0291621

Entities

Organizations

  • General Electric

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Cells
  • Environment
  • Fuel Cells
  • Hydrogen
  • Launch Vehicles
  • Performance Tests
  • Pneumatics
  • Shelf Life
  • Spacecraft
  • Vehicles
  • Vibration

Readers

  • Electrical Engineering
  • Software Engineering

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology
  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster
  • Space - Satellites