Astrobotic & Honda Team Up for Continuous Lunar Power
Astrobotic and Honda are teaming up to extend lunar power availability, supporting sustained human presence and advancing moon infrastructure. The collaboration aims to combine Astrobotic's Vertical Solar Array Technology (VSAT) and LunaGrid service with Honda's regenerative fuel cell (RFC) system.
Astrobotic's Lunar Power Systems Architect, Bobby Rolley, envisions LunaGrid extending mission durations from days to years, boosting performance and data return. The companies will conduct a joint feasibility study, simulating one-year solar illumination profiles at lunar South Pole sites using Astrobotic's 10 kW and 50 kW VSAT systems. The study will also evaluate Honda's RFC system, which provides oxygen, hydrogen, and electricity using solar energy and water, recycling water as its only byproduct. The results will help size Honda's RFC system to meet energy storage needs for various lunar mission scenarios and evaluate the system's scalability for LunaGrid's use.
Astrobotic's LunaGrid features a solar-powered VSAT capable of sun tracking, with systems generating 10 kW and 50 kW under development. Lockheed Martin has also shown interest in lunar power, announcing in April that it was developing VSAT for deployment on the Moon.
The joint development agreement between American Honda Motor Co., Inc. and Astrobotic Technology, Inc. marks a significant step towards continuous lunar power. By integrating Astrobotic's VSAT and LunaGrid with Honda's RFC system, the collaboration aims to support sustained human presence on the moon and advance lunar surface infrastructure development.
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