Honda and Astrobotic Establish Joint Development Agreement to Explore Scalable Lunar Power Solutions

• Honda regenerative fuel cell (RFC) system provides advanced energy storage capable of supporting human life on the lunar surface
• Astrobotic Vertical Solar Array Technology (VSAT), a component of the Astrobotic LunaGrid power system, advances lunar power infrastructure
• Honda and Astrobotic will conduct a feasibility study for the integration of the RFC into LunaGrid

American Honda Motor Co., Inc. and Astrobotic Technology, Inc. today announced a joint development agreement aimed at developing a scalable and integrated power solution for sustained lunar surface missions. The joint feasibility study will explore how the Honda regenerative fuel cell (RFC) system can be integrated with Astrobotic's Vertical Solar Array Technology (VSAT) and LunaGrid service to provide continuous power, even during prolonged periods of darkness on the Moon.

The Honda RFC system, known as a circulative renewable energy system, is designed to continuously produce oxygen, hydrogen, and electricity using solar energy and water. During the lunar day¹, the RFC system stores solar power as hydrogen and converts it into electricity during the lunar night². After generating electricity, the only byproduct of the fuel cell is water, which is recycled into the Honda high-pressure water electrolysis system to create a closed-loop energy cycle.

Astrobotic is creating a scalable power infrastructure service, called LunaGrid, designed to supply sustained lunar surface power for a wide range of lunar missions and customers. A key component of LunaGrid is the Astrobotic VSAT, a solar-powered system that is deployable, self-leveling, and capable of sun tracking for optimal energy capture. Astrobotic is developing a 10 kW VSAT system, along with the Extra-Large Vertical Solar Array Technology (VSAT-XL), which would generate 50 kW of power to support the growing power requirements of planned lunar missions.

^{Concept rendering of a scalable lunar power solution integrating the Honda regenerative fuel cell system with Astrobotic's Vertical Solar Array Technology}

Feasibility Study Will Integrate the Honda RFC and Astrobotic VSAT Systems
Honda and Astrobotic plan to conduct a feasibility study that will focus on three key objectives:

• Conducting detailed illumination studies to assess power generation and storage requirements at different sites where the LunaGrid system will be deployed
• Evaluating the scalability of the Honda RFC system for LunaGrid's use
• Assessing hardware and software integration with the Honda RFC and Astrobotic VSAT to define RFC system requirements that ensure reliable operation in future deployments

A key advantage of the Honda regenerative fuel cell system is its ability to provide continuous power during the lunar night. By integrating the Honda RFC with the Astrobotic VSAT, the combined system could significantly extend power availability beyond the lunar night, which would enable expanded mission capabilities, support a sustained human presence on the Moon, advance lunar surface infrastructure development and power future commercial industries.

During the study, Honda and Astrobotic will also simulate one-year solar illumination profiles at various lunar South Pole sites using both the Astrobotic 10 kW and 50 kW VSAT systems. These simulated illumination profiles will determine how much sunlight the VSAT solar panels will receive on the lunar surface to power the water electrolysis during the day, enabling the RFC system to convert the stored hydrogen into electricity throughout the night. Based on the modeled solar energy production, Honda will size its regenerative fuel cell system to meet the energy storage needs of various lunar mission scenarios.

Perspectives from Honda and Astrobotic Leaders
Derek Adelman, chief engineer, Space Development Division, American Honda Motor Co., Inc.:
"The collaboration between Honda and Astrobotic marks a pivotal step toward creating scalable power solutions for long-term lunar surface missions. 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."

Bobby Rolley, Astrobotic's Lunar Power Systems Architect:
"Astrobotic's LunaGrid is being developed to deliver reliable, continuous power for lunar surface missions, revolutionizing the economics of exploration. By enabling survival through the harsh lunar night and extending mission durations from days to years, LunaGrid will significantly boost mission performance and data return per dollar invested. Our collaboration with Honda is a major move in this vision, as their scalable energy storage technology will enhance both LunaGrid and our Vertical Solar Array Technology (VSAT), expanding our overall power generation and storage capabilities."

For more information, visit Honda regenerative fuel cell system and Astrobotic Lunar Infrastructure.

About Honda Research & Development in America
Honda has been conducting research & development operations in America for 50 years, beginning with the establishment of a research facility in California in 1975. Today, Honda conducts R&D activities at 23 facilities across the country responsible for creating advanced products and technologies that provide new value to Honda and Acura customers.

Honda conducts all facets of product development in the U.S., including market and technology research, product styling, engineering design, prototype fabrication and testing, collaboration with parts suppliers, and support for mass production. With major R&D facilities in California, Ohio, and North Carolina, U.S. Honda associates are engaged in the development and testing of Honda and Acura automobiles, Honda powersports and power equipment products, and also play a lead role in the development of leading-edge safety, driver-assistive and environmental technologies.

Explore more of Honda in the Digital FactBook.

About Astrobotic
Astrobotic is at the forefront of advancing space exploration and technology development. Our expertise spans from lunar spacecraft, navigation, and delivery to lunar infrastructure and suborbital rockets. To date, the company has been contracted for two lunar missions, and has won more than 60 NASA, DoD, and commercial technology contracts worth more than $650 million.

Astrobotic recently launched and operated the first American lunar lander mission since the Apollo Program. Beyond helping lead America back to the Moon, the company develops and operates reusable vertical takeoff, vertical landing (VTVL) rockets and advanced rocket engines. Established in 2007, Astrobotic is headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, with a propulsion and test campus in Mojave, CA.

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1. A lunar day is how long it takes for the Moon to go from one sunrise to the next at the same spot. It lasts approximately 29.5 Earth days.
2. A lunar night is the long period of darkness on the Moon after the Sun has set. It lasts approximately 14 Earth days.