BIG MILESTONE: ISRO Tests Fuel System That Can Power Space Station

Chennai: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully tested a 100 W class Polymer Electrolyte Membrane fuel-based Power System (FCPS) in its orbital platform, POEM3, launched onboard PSLV-C58 on New Year, January 1.

The FCPS was launched aboard the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM), which is the fourth stage of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle.

The space agency aims to access Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel cell operation in space and to collect data to facilitate the design of systems for future missions.

This comes as the Indian space organisation successfully launched PSLV-C58 mission that carried the XPoSat observatory to space.

ISRO chief S Somnath revealed the development following the successful launch of the XPoSat mission.

This innovative fuel cell technology is expected to act as a game-changer in the world of space missions.

Unlike other traditional power systems, fuel cells offer the advantage of converting the chemical energy from fuels directly to electricity through electrochemical reactions, providing a much longer supply of electrical energy.