A Groton-based fuel cell developer said it has successfully completed testing that moves its technology closer to powering NASA astronauts on lunar missions.
Nimbus Power Systems announced Tuesday that its fuel cell technology passed shock and vibration tests simulating launch conditions for NASA’s Artemis program.
Nimbus has licensed its technology to SpaceX competitor Blue Origin for use in the company’s Blue Moon Lunar Lander, which NASA will use to transport astronauts from lunar orbit to the moon’s surface.
“This demanding hardware demonstration is the culmination of more than a year of close cooperation between the talented teams at Nimbus and Blue Origin,” said Michael Gorman, CEO of Nimbus Power Systems. “It speaks to the reliability of the underlying technology and our combined attention to product detail.”
Nimbus has developed fuel cells that produce electricity, heat and potable water — three vital resources for crewed space operations — through the reaction of oxygen and hydrogen.
The company’s technology uses a unique water management system that relies on capillary and hydraulic forces rather than gravity, allowing the fuel cells to function reliably in space. This approach reduces system complexity and weight, according to the company.
Gorman noted the tests were approved by both Blue Origin and NASA, marking a significant milestone in the technology’s flight qualification process.
The successful test positions Nimbus as a supplier in the commercial space industry as private companies compete to return American astronauts to the moon. Blue Origin and SpaceX are both developing lunar landers for NASA’s Artemis campaign, which aims to establish a sustained presence on the moon.
Nimbus Power Systems develops fuel cell systems for heavy-duty mobility, aerospace and stationary power markets.
The company said it is also working with the state Department of Economic and Community Development on expansion plans, though details have not yet been announced.
