Honda Partners with Astrobotic to Power Lunar Surface Operations
(MENAFN) Honda has entered into a new partnership with U.S. aerospace firm Astrobotic Technology, agreeing to supply its regenerative fuel cell system for lunar surface operations, the automaker announced on Monday.
The fuel cell system will be incorporated into Astrobotic’s solar infrastructure to maintain a steady power supply during extended lunar nights — a key challenge for long-duration Moon missions. These nights can last up to 14 Earth days, making uninterrupted energy availability critical.
In daylight, Honda’s regenerative fuel cell system captures solar energy and stores it as hydrogen. When darkness falls on the Moon, the system converts that stored hydrogen back into electricity, ensuring a continuous energy flow.
“This marks a pivotal step toward creating scalable power solutions for long-term lunar surface missions,” said Derek Adelman, chief engineer at American Honda Motor’s Space Development Division.
He added: “Powered by core Honda technologies, our regenerative fuel cell system is designed to provide efficient energy storage and regeneration to support sustained human life on the Moon as well as advance zero-emission applications on Earth.”
Astrobotic’s lunar power systems architect, Bobby Rolley, described the collaboration as a significant milestone. “This is a major move toward our vision of enabling survival through the harsh lunar night and extending mission durations from days to years,” he said.
Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Pittsburgh, Astrobotic is currently under contract for two lunar missions. Meanwhile, Honda Motor, known for its hydrogen-fueled vehicles, launched its Space Development Division within its American subsidiary in late 2024.
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