Smithsonian Institution
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Asset Name:
media:NASM-18BC69AFBD222_001

File Usage:

Not determined
There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page at https://www.si.edu/Termsofuse


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Object details:

Object Name: Powerplant, Fuel Cell, Space Shuttle Orbiter
Smithsonian Record ID: edanmdm:nasm_A20181719000

	Object Name
	Powerplant, Fuel Cell, Space Shuttle Orbiter

	Metadata Usage
	Not determined

	Guid
	http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nv9a7ed8d50-902e-4bdc-9832-a008836d7e5b

	Data Source
	National Air and Space Museum

	Manufacturer
	UTC Power

	Materials
	HAZMAT: Cadmium Plating

	Materials
	Unknown Contents (May Contain Freon 21 and Potassium Hydroxide)

	Materials
	Ferrous Alloy

	Materials
	Wood

	Materials
	Paint

	Materials
	Plastic

	Materials
	Uncharacterized Foam

	Materials
	Adhesive Tape

	Materials
	Rubber

	Materials
	Paper

	Materials
	Ink

	Materials
	Glass

	Materials
	Adhesive

	Dimensions
	Approximate (Fuel Cell): 40.6 × 40.6 × 123.2cm (1 ft. 4 in. × 1 ft. 4 in. × 4 ft. 1/2 in.)

	Dimensions
	3-D (Barrel): 120.6 × 174cm (3 ft. 11 1/2 in. × 5 ft. 8 1/2 in.)

	Dimensions
	Approximate (Barrel, Printed on Container): 603.3kg (1330lb.)

	Dimensions
	Approximate (Fuel Cell): 35.6 × 38.1 × 101.6 × 30.5cm, 115.7kg (1 ft. 2 in. × 1 ft. 3 in. × 3 ft. 4 in. × 1 ft., 255lb.)

	Summary
	This is one of three fuel cell power plants that produced electrical power for a space shuttle orbiter. They were located under the payload bay floor in the mid-fuselage behind the crew compartment. The fuel cell transformed hydrogen and oxygen into electricity in the top (power) section, and the accessory section at the bottom monitored the chemical reaction and temperature of the unit and also removed heat and water produced by the process. The water was stored in tanks for use by the onboard environmental control and life support system and the crew.

	Summary
	NASA transferred this extra orbiter fuel cell to the Museum in 2012 when the space shuttle program ended. Three other fuel cells remain installed inside the orbiter Discovery, on display at the Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.

	Country of Origin
	United States of America

	Credit Line
	Transferred from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration

	Inventory Number
	A20181719000

	Type
	EQUIPMENT-Power Sources

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