Introduction

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully tested a 100 W class Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell based Power System (FCPS) in space.
The FCPS was part of the POEM3 orbital platform, launched onboard PSLV-C58 on January 1, 2024.

About FCPS Experiment

Primary Goal: The experiment aimed to assess the operation of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel cells in space and gather data for future mission designs.
Power Generation: During the test, 180 W power was generated using Hydrogen and Oxygen gases, providing valuable data on the performance of the power system.

	Details
Basic Principle	Converts chemical energy from hydrogen into electrical energy, producing water and heat as byproducts.
Key Components	Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA) Platinum-based catalyst Gas Diffusion Layers (GDLs) Bipolar Plates
Operation	Hydrogen Oxidation: At the anode, hydrogen molecules (H2) are split into protons (H+) and electrons (e-). Proton Conduction: The PEM allows only protons to pass through to the cathode, blocking electrons. Electron Flow: Electrons travel through an external circuit to the cathode, creating an electric current. Oxygen Reduction: At the cathode, oxygen molecules (O2) from the air combine with the protons and electrons to form water (H2O). Heat Production: The reaction generates heat, which can be used for heating purposes in some applications.
Types of Membranes	Perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) membranes (common) Hydrocarbon-based membranes (alternative)
Advantages	High power density Low operating temperatures (60-80°C) Zero emissions with pure hydrogen

Multipurpose Space Use: Fuel cells are particularly suitable for human space missions, providing essential power, water, and heat from a single system.
Societal Benefits: They have significant potential for societal applications, including as replacements for conventional vehicle engines and in standby power systems.
Advantages over Batteries: Fuel cells offer range and refuelling times comparable to conventional engines and are expected to enable emission-free transportation.