The fuel cell, created by the Vikram Sarabhai Space Center (VSSC), which is a division of Isro, represents an innovative technology aimed at establishing a sustainable and highly efficient power supply for space exploration.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) has achieved a successful launch of a Fuel Cell Power System (FCPS) that is specifically designed to test the power source for the upcoming Indian Space Station. The experiment was conducted as part of the PSLV-C58 mission, which also carried the XPoSat observatory into space.
Following the successful launch of the XPoSat mission, Isro chief S Somnath announced the development of the FCPS. This fuel cell, developed by the Vikram Sarabhai Space Center (VSSC), a division of Isro, represents a new technology aimed at pioneering a sustainable and efficient power source for space exploration.
The FCPS was launched aboard the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM), which serves as the fourth stage of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle. Initially, it was placed into a 650 km orbit alongside the X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSAT) mission. However, through a series of controlled maneuvers, the POEM fourth stage was subsequently lowered to a 350 km orbit.
This strategic lowering of the orbit was crucial in order to maintain the required stability for the onboard experiments, including the FCPS. The innovative fuel cell technology is expected to revolutionize long-duration space missions. Unlike traditional power systems, fuel cells have the advantage of directly converting chemical energy from fuels into electricity through electrochemical reactions, providing a significantly longer supply of electrical energy.
Isro’s decision to test the FCPS in the lower orbit is part of a broader strategy to validate technologies that will play a critical role in the success of the proposed Indian Space Station.
The space station is planned to be positioned in Low Earth Orbit, specifically at an altitude between 120 and 140 km. Its primary purpose is to function as a base for conducting a wide range of microgravity experiments, thereby making substantial contributions to the fields of space science and technology.
Isro’s progressive mindset towards space exploration is evident through the successful implementation and evaluation of the FCPS. By utilizing the capabilities of fuel cell technology, Isro is not only laying the groundwork for its ambitious space station initiative but also establishing a model for sustainable practices in future space missions.