Perspective—Solid Oxide Cell Technology for Space Exploration

Abstract

To enable long-term manned space exploration, there are critical needs in oxygen and water for life support, electrical power for on-board operation, and in situ generation of propellants for ascent vehicles. Low-temperature electrochemical devices have been developed and utilized for on-board oxygen and power generation in several manned space programs. High-temperature solid oxide cell technology offers unique advantages for future space missions. This perspective highlights recent advances in solid oxide cell technology that make it feasible for adoption in aerospace applications and outlines the projected needs in future research and development to better support space exploration

Scale Up and Coupling of the MOXIE Solid Oxide Electrolyzer for Both Terrestrial and Space Applications

“…ISRU of both Martian and Lunar resources presents an opportunity for production of propellant fuels to enable cislunar transport, exploration of more remote area of the solar system, and a manned mission to Mars. 15 OxEon has successfully scaled the MOXIE SOXE technology to the capacity required for manned-missions and demonstrated the mission-scale technology in relevant Lunar and Martian breadboard systems. Performance map testing of the Lunar system for the production of propellant H2 and O2 from Lunar ice, met all program KPP threshold goals, exceeding target production rates and demonstrating the ability to electrochemically compress the product O2 stream by 200 kPa over the cathode pressure.…”

Electrocatalysis in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells and Electrolyzers

“…CO produced at the SOEC cathode can be fed into a chemical synthesis reactor, enabling the recycling of CO 2. Furthermore, pure O 2 is produced at the other electrode (anode), which can be used for medical applications or to supply oxygen in space missions. , Often, CO 2 reduction in O-SOECs is coupled directly with H 2 O electrolysis at the cathode, to produce syngas (CO 2 and H 2 ), a key precursor for the synthesis of liquid fuels and chemicals through well-established industrial processes (i.e., Fischer–Tropsch) , .…”

“…Furthermore, pure O 2 is produced at the other electrode (anode), which can be used for medical applications or to supply oxygen in space missions. 227,228 Often, CO 2 reduction in O-SOECs is coupled directly with H 2 O electrolysis at the cathode, to produce syngas (CO 2 and H 2 ), a key precursor for the…”

Highly Efficient and Stable Intermediate-Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells Using PrCo0.5Ni0.5O3−δ Cathode

“…Since solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) can efficiently convert chemical energy into electricity with features of good fuel flexibility and environmentally friendly, it has been widely studied by scholars. − However, the slow rate of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) on the cathode side of SOFC at intermediate or low temperatures (≤800 °C) would lead to shorten the fuel cell life span and reduce the output performance, making it difficult to achieve large-scale commercial application. − Therefore, priority research on cathode materials at intermediated/low-temperature ranges is particularly important for the development of SOFC. − …”