Takasago Thermal Engineering Co., Ltd. announces the completion and delivery of the lunar surface water electrolyzer flight model (FM) to ispace Co., Ltd., a trailblazer in lunar transportation services. This marks a significant milestone in our joint endeavor to produce hydrogen and oxygen directly on the lunar surface – a world-first attempt that paves the way for sustainable space exploration.
In recent years, it has been shown that the moon may have water resources. In the future, if hydrogen and oxygen are generated from water collected on the lunar surface, the hydrogen can be used as fuel for rockets, and the oxygen can be used by humans to live on the lunar surface.
The company’s innovative lunar surface water electrolysis device, which has been handed over to ispace, headquartered in Chuo-ku, Tokyo, under the leadership of CEO & Founder Takeshi Hakamada, is designed to unlock the potential of water resources on the moon. By generating hydrogen as rocket fuel and oxygen for human habitation from lunar water, we are stepping into a new era of space travel and habitation.
The company has focused on hydrogen as an energy source for use in buildings and began developing hydrogen production technology about 20 years ago. We have developed ground-use water electrolyzers and are working on the social implementation of green hydrogen utilization systems that use electricity derived from renewable energy, using the engineering capabilities we have cultivated through our air conditioning equipment business. In order to advance research in new areas, in December 2019, we concluded a corporate partner agreement for the private lunar exploration program “HAKUTO-R” and began collaboration with ispace. The lander (lunar lander) of Mission 2 , which is scheduled to be launched in the winter of 2024 , will be equipped with a lunar surface water electrolysis device developed by our company, and after landing on the lunar surface, it will be the world’s first lunar lander. We will take on the challenge of producing hydrogen and oxygen.
“Drawing on two decades of expertise in hydrogen production technology and leveraging our engineering prowess from the air conditioning equipment sector, we have embarked on this groundbreaking project. In partnership with ispace, as part of the “HAKUTO-R” private lunar exploration program, we are set to launch our water electrolysis device on Mission 2’s lander, targeting a launch in winter 2024. This pioneering mission will attempt the first-ever production of hydrogen and oxygen on the lunar surface.”
Developed through a rigorous process that adapted ground-based water electrolysis technology for the harsh conditions of space, our device has undergone extensive testing to ensure its performance. This includes vibration tests, thermal vacuum tests, and communication tests, underscoring our commitment to innovation and reliability.
The mission’s objective is clear: to demonstrate stable hydrogen and oxygen production on the lunar surface. This entails creating and compressing hydrogen and oxygen to levels comparable to ground equipment and demonstrating the system’s ability to repeatedly start and stop according to demand.
Overview of lunar surface water electrolysis device
It consists of:
① Electrolytic cell that electrolyzes water to generate hydrogen and oxygen
② Tank that stores the water needed for electrolysis and the generated oxygen
③ Tank that stores the generated hydrogen
④ Electrical unit that controls the entire device
⑤ Sturdy support for these parts etc.
The approximate size is 300mm long x 450mm wide x 200mm high.
Features
| Fluid control that operates even in low gravity | Ensuring stable flow of fluid even with approximately 1/6 gravity compared to Earth |
| Earthquake resistance | Ensures mechanical strength against vibrations and shocks during rocket launches and moon landings |
| Smaller and lighter | Cleared the conditions for mounting on a transportation lander |
| thermal control | Maintains equipment temperature within a specified range even under vacuum |
Space equipment is subject to a much harsher environment compared to ground-based equipment, as it is required to be launched by rocket and used in the space environment. Additionally, it is physically impossible to maintain the equipment directly after launch. In order to overcome these issues, we applied ground-based water electrolysis technology and carried out a development process that is different from that for ground-based applications, starting from component selection and conducting various tests (vibration tests, thermal vacuum tests, communication tests, etc.). After that, the device was completed.
Overview of hydrogen and oxygen production mission on the moon
After reaching the lunar surface, the water electrolysis device will be mounted on top of the lander during the mission. The water required for electrolysis is brought from above ground. The water will be electrolyzed using electricity (solar power generation) supplied by the lander to produce hydrogen and oxygen. Operation and status monitoring of the water electrolyzer will be conducted from iSpace’s mission control center in Nihonbashi, Tokyo, via the lander’s communications equipment.
This mission is to “demonstrate technology for stably producing hydrogen and oxygen on the lunar surface ,” and will specifically demonstrate the following three things.
| ①Create hydrogen and oxygen | We aim to be the world’s first to “create” hydrogen and oxygen on the lunar surface. |
| ② Compress hydrogen and oxygen | In practical use, in order to “storage” the hydrogen and oxygen produced compactly, it is necessary to compress them. We aim to achieve a compression level equivalent to that of ground equipment. |
| ③ Repeatedly run and stop | In practical use, it is necessary to operate and shut down the system according to the demand for hydrogen and oxygen. We aim to be able to repeatedly and stably perform a series of functions from start to stop. |
About Takasago Thermal Engineering Co., Ltd
Since our founding in 1923, we have focused on the design and construction of air conditioning equipment, creating people-friendly and comfortable spaces, building highly controlled production process environments, and consulting on optimal equipment operation and energy conservation using AI. We provide comprehensive services throughout the lifecycle throughout Japan, China, Southeast Asia, India, and Mexico. Based on our group purpose of “Opening up the future of the earth through environmental innovation,” as an “Environmental CreatorⓇ ” who creates comfortable environments, we are working to create technologies and services that contribute to the realization of a decarbonized and sustainable society. .
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