Primary electrical power for loads in the Apollo Command and Service Modules is furnished by a system of three fuel cell powerplants. The powerplants convert cryogenic hydrogen and oxygen into direct current. Water formed in the fuel cell reactions is supplied to the spacecraft for crew use. Waste heat is rejected through a coolant loop to a spacecraft radiator. The ability of the fuel cell to meet its voltage-power requirements and to control its own operating temperature under the environmental extremes of launch, ascent, earth orbit, translunar flight, and lunar orbit was demonstrated on successively more difficult missions leading up to the first lunar landing.


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    Title :

    Fuel cell powerplant operation in Apollo spacecraft.


    Contributors:

    Conference:

    Intersociety Energy Conversion Engineering Conference ; 1972 ; San Diego, CA


    Publication date :

    1972-01-01


    Type of media :

    Miscellaneous


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




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