Honda Set to Test Renewable Technology in Space Soon

Honda will collaborate with US companies to test renewable energy technology in space, with the goal of eventually deploying it on the Moon's surface, the Japanese automaker announced.

The automaker is developing a mechanism to continuously generate electricity and oxygen, allowing astronauts to breathe, using solar energy and water found in some lunar soils.

It now intends to test this technology aboard the International Space Station, according to a press release, but no specific date has been set.

Honda already uses the system in its electric vehicles and wants to expand it to space "to support life in space and on Earth."

"During Lunar Day, the system will power the process with solar electricity. Honda's high-differential pressure water electrolysis system will then generate hydrogen and oxygen from water," the company stated.

"During Lunar Night, when the Moon does not receive sunlight, some of the oxygen will be used to breathe by astronauts. The Honda fuel cell system will generate electricity using the remaining oxygen and hydrogen produced during the Lunar Day."

Several countries, including the United States and China, are working to establish a permanent human presence on the Moon.

Honda has spent several years collaborating with the Japanese space agency Jaxa on the American lunar program Artemis, in which Japan is a partner.

The ISS test, which Honda will conduct in collaboration with the American space companies Sierra Space and Tec-Masters, will ensure that Honda's system operates properly in space.

In recent years, several automakers, including Honda and Toyota, have announced investments in the thriving space sector.

Toyota, the world's largest automaker, announced in early January that it would invest $44 million in Interstellar Technologies, a Japanese rocket startup.