Powering the Moon: NASA Tests Systems for Sustained Lunar Living

Engineers at NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio, are conducting tests on two separate technologies designed to support a sustained human presence on the Moon. One system addresses energy storage through regenerative fuel cells, while the other focuses on producing rocket propellant from lunar resources.

Regenerative Fuel Cell System for Energy Storage

Technology and Testing

A team led by Dr. Kerrigan Cain is testing a regenerative fuel cell system roughly the size of a sedan and as tall as a person. The system produces water, heat, and electricity by combining hydrogen and oxygen. It can be recharged by splitting water back into its constituent gases.

The system has undergone over five years of design and assembly at NASA Glenn, with initial testing completed in 2025. Current tests involve storing the generated hydrogen and oxygen for the first time. Researchers operate the system remotely from a control room.

Purpose and Advantages

The system is intended for use under NASA's Artemis program for habitats, rovers, and other power needs on the Moon.

According to NASA, it is lighter than comparable battery systems for the same energy capacity and can operate during the two-week lunar night.

Statements from Project Lead

Dr. Kerrigan Cain described the system as suitable for habitats, exploration rovers, and other systems envisioned under Artemis. He stated that long-term human presence on the Moon requires power and energy storage solutions that fit those needs, and that regenerative fuel cells are part of that solution.

"Creating a sustainable presence on the Moon requires collaboration between NASA and industry."

Cain noted the testing generates data important for the project.

Next Steps

Researchers will continue testing and then simulate lunar surface conditions outside the lab to validate the system's performance.

CryoFILL System for On-Site Propellant Production

Technology and Testing

The Cryogenic Fluid In-Situ Liquefaction for Landers (CryoFILL) project is testing technology to liquefy oxygen on the lunar surface. The process involves cooling oxygen extracted from water ice found in permanently shadowed regions of the Moon.

A flight-like cryocooler, developed by Creare LLC under NASA’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, removes heat, allowing oxygen to condense and remain at temperatures below minus 300 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 184 degrees Celsius).

Strategic Importance for Space Exploration

Producing propellant at the destination could reduce the amount of fuel a spacecraft needs to carry from Earth. Evan Racine, CryoFILL project manager at NASA Glenn, stated:

"Producing and liquefying oxygen on the Moon or Mars could allow landers to be fueled on-site, reducing the propellant required for launch from Earth."

Testing and Future Plans

Wesley Johnson, CryoFILL lead engineer, stated that tests with flight-like hardware are intended to observe oxygen liquefaction and system responses under various conditions, which are considered important for scaling and automating future in-situ refueling.

Over the next three months, engineers will analyze oxygen condensation under different scenarios. The data collected will be used to validate temperature computer models. Test results will inform the scaling of the technology for larger applications and guide designs for its use on the Moon, Mars, and other planetary surfaces.

Project Management

CryoFILL is managed under the Cryogenic Fluid Management Portfolio Project, a collaborative effort between NASA Glenn and NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center. The portfolio encompasses over 20 technology development activities and is funded by NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate.