Recently, Toyota Motor executives disclosed their plans to employ regenerative fuel cell technology for propelling a manned lunar rover. This move significantly enhances the potential for utilizing ice water on the moon as a viable energy resource in the future.
Toyota aims to land a manned lunar rover on the moon by the end of the decade.
Dubbed the “Lunar Cruiser,” Toyota’s pressurized rover is being developed for the lunar polar exploration mission (LUPEX) and forms part of the projects spearheaded by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). Toyota has been in collaboration with JAXA since 2019, and their collective objective is to land the Lunar Cruiser, driven by fuel cell technology, on the moon in 2029.
In addition to its involvement in NASA’s Artemis program, Toyota plans to have an astronaut stationed at NASA’s lunar space station, Gateway, in the latter half of this decade.
According to Reuters, JAXA recently presented materials indicating that NASA anticipates Japan to contribute a lunar rover with a target launch date in 2029 as part of its commitment to the Artemis program.
The rover’s regenerative fuel cell technology has the capability to both generate and store energy.
Toyota’s Regenerative Fuel Cell Technology and Lunar Rover Project
Regenerative fuel cell technology operates as a fuel cell, transforming hydrogen and oxygen into electricity and water. Additionally, it can serve as an electrolyzer, producing hydrogen and oxygen through the application of electrical energy. Its dual functionality as both a fuel cell and an electrolyzer empowers it to seamlessly switch between generating and storing energy.
As per Toyota, its fuel cell technology will harness solar energy and water to produce hydrogen and oxygen through electrolysis during daylight hours. When night falls, the fuel cells will take over to supply electricity.
Given that a lunar night spans approximately 14 days, the lunar rover’s fuel cell technology will enable it to operate for an extended duration, even in darkness and extremely cold temperatures.
The water required by the fuel cells will not be sourced from the moon’s ice water.
In order to achieve long-term and stable lunar surface research by sourcing various resources on-site for an extended period,” stated Ken Yamashita, Toyota’s head of lunar exploration projects, as reported by Reuters.
While it would be ideal to utilize the moon’s ice water for generating the necessary water for its fuel cell technology, Toyota acknowledges that this possibility might not be feasible in the near future and that it might not have the capability to mine water on its own.
Consequently, the company is likely to collaborate with other firms for future advancements in acquiring the required water. Initially, clean water will have to be transported to space along with the rover during the initial operations.
Toyota aims to secure an order for its fuel cell Lunar Cruiser by autumn 2024. The manned lunar rover is intended to accommodate two astronauts for 42 days annually during missions and maintain operational status for a minimum of 10 years.
FAQs regarding Toyota’s Lunar Rover Project
Q1: What are Toyota’s plans for utilizing the moon’s ice water in the future? Toyota intends to use regenerative fuel cell technology to power a manned lunar rover, which could potentially involve leveraging ice water on the moon as an energy source in the future.
Q2: What is the timeline for Toyota’s lunar project? Toyota aims to place a manned lunar rover on the moon before the end of this decade. The goal is to have the Lunar Cruiser, powered by fuel cell technology, on the moon by 2029.
Q3: What is the Lunar Cruiser? The Lunar Cruiser is a pressurized rover currently under development for the lunar polar exploration mission (LUPEX), which is part of projects led by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). Toyota and JAXA have been partners since 2019.
Q4: How does regenerative fuel cell technology work? Regenerative fuel cell technology acts as a fuel cell, converting hydrogen and oxygen into electricity and water. It can also operate as an electrolyzer, producing hydrogen and oxygen through electrical energy application, allowing it to alternate between generating and storing energy.
Q5: Will the fuel cells use water from the moon’s ice water? While it would be ideal to utilize the moon’s ice water for generating water for its fuel cell technology, Toyota does not expect this to be feasible anytime soon or have the capability to mine the water independently. Initially, clean water will need to be transported to space with the rover.
Q6: What are the capabilities of the Lunar Cruiser? According to Toyota, the Lunar Cruiser is expected to accommodate two astronauts for 42 days per year on missions and remain operational for at least 10 years.
Q7: When does Toyota aim to secure an order for its Lunar Cruiser? Toyota hopes to secure an order for its fuel cell Lunar Cruiser by autumn 2024.
Q8: Is Toyota involved in any other space programs? Yes, Toyota is also participating in NASA’s Artemis program and intends to station an astronaut at the lunar space station, Gateway, during the latter half of this decade.
Conclusion
Toyota’s regenerative fuel cell technology propels a manned lunar rover, bolstering the potential for using moon ice water as an energy source. Their Lunar Cruiser project, developed for the lunar polar exploration mission, seeks to place the rover on the moon by 2029. Toyota collaborates with JAXA and participates in NASA’s Artemis program, aiming for sustainable lunar surface research with various on-site resources.
