Who successfully tested a fuel cell to generate electricity in space?
(1) ISRO
(2) NASA
(3) DRDO
(4) None of these
Answer (2)
NASA successfully tested fuel cells to generate electricity in space, particularly during the Apollo program. The fuel cells utilized hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, water, and heat for the spacecraft. Therefore, the correct answer is (2) NASA.
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The correct answer is: (2) NASA.
NASA was the first organization to successfully test and use fuel cells to generate electricity in space. Fuel cells work by converting chemical energy into electrical energy through a chemical reaction, often between hydrogen and oxygen. This technology was used by NASA during the Gemini and Apollo programs in the 1960s.
Details:
Who: NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration), the United States government agency responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research.
What: Successfully tested and utilized fuel cell technology.
When: The testing and successful implementation started in the 1960s, particularly with the Gemini missions.
Where: These tests and implementations were part of NASA's space missions, conducted during their space programs.
Why: The need for efficient and reliable power systems in space. Traditional batteries were too heavy and not efficient for long-duration missions. Fuel cells provided a more practical solution as they could produce electricity and the byproduct, water, could be used as drinking water for astronauts.
How: By implementing hydrogen-oxygen fuel cells in their spacecrafts, NASA was able to harness chemical reactions to produce electricity and water, supporting both electric power needs and human life systems in space.
This advancement not only powered spacecraft systems but also laid the groundwork for further developments in space travel technology.
