Development of the fuel cell system integrated with the propulsion system for the future spacecraft

• Project/Area Number: 24246140
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Aerospace engineering
• Research Institution: Japan Aerospace EXploration Agency
• Principal Investigator: KAWAGUCHI Junichiro 国立研究開発法人宇宙航空研究開発機構, 宇宙科学研究所, 教授 (10169691)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 岡屋 俊一 国立研究開発法人宇宙航空研究開発機構, 宇宙科学研究所, 参与 (50724241) ; 羽生 宏人 国立研究開発法人宇宙航空研究開発機構, 宇宙科学研究所, 准教授 (60353421) ; 曽根 理嗣 国立研究開発法人宇宙航空研究開発機構, 宇宙科学研究所, 准教授 (70373438)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Project Status: Completed (Fiscal Year 2017)
• Budget Amount: ¥45,630,000 (Direct Cost: ¥35,100,000、Indirect Cost: ¥10,530,000); Fiscal Year 2016: ¥8,580,000 (Direct Cost: ¥6,600,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,980,000); Fiscal Year 2015: ¥9,490,000 (Direct Cost: ¥7,300,000、Indirect Cost: ¥2,190,000); Fiscal Year 2014: ¥8,190,000 (Direct Cost: ¥6,300,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,890,000); Fiscal Year 2013: ¥8,580,000 (Direct Cost: ¥6,600,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,980,000); Fiscal Year 2012: ¥10,790,000 (Direct Cost: ¥8,300,000、Indirect Cost: ¥2,490,000)
• Keywords: 燃料電池 / 宇宙利用・探査

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The fuel cell system integrated with the propulsion system and its technology were developed in order to get an enough electric power for the heater etc., under the light mass requirement of the deep space explorer. Especially this special fuel cell system powered by the fuel and oxidizer, which was able to initiate the propulsion system in the environment of around -50degC, was orable and operable in the same environment. Additionally the recovery methods of the fuel cell reaction products and the recirculation methods of the residual fuel and oxidizer were defined. This advanced fuel cell system was confirmed to be operable during the deep space exploration.