Getting an Apollo program fuel cell working again #Space #History

Ben Krasnow posts on Twitter an Apollo program fuel cell in the collection of Steve Jurvetson.

Once at operating temperature, it requires only H2 and O2, and produces around 28V at 50A along with drinkable water. On the inside are 31 individual fuel cells, connected in series, which operate at 27 to 31 volts. Normal power output is 563 to 1420 watts, with a maximum of 2300 watts. Primary construction materials are titanium, stainless steel, and nickel.

The three fuel cell power plants in the Service Module combined hydrogen and oxygen to generate electricity onboard. The waste stream of the fuel cell is pure water, which was used for consumption by the crew.

This particular fuel cell is Serial Number 1 and was for the simulator. It is identical to the flight unit, but with additional simulator functionality and interfaces.

Ben states they are planning to get this cell in working order once again!

You can read more about this piece of history on Steve’s Flickr feed as well as Ben’s Twitter feed.

You can read more about the fuel cell’s creation in Powering Apollo 11: the fuel cell that took us to the moon and the video below: