Hydrogen power at the heart
Toyota and Japanese Space Agency, JAXA, are working together on a hydrogen-powered rover to help humanity explore the surface of the moon, and some day Mars too. Even with the small amount of energy available, the rover will have a lunar cruising range of more than 10,000km.
Proof that our ambitions are truly long term.
“I believe that our industry, which is constantly thinking about the role it should fulfil, shares the same aspirations as international space exploration.”
Akio Toyoda
By using the same Hydrogen fuel cell technology as the Toyota Mirai here on Earth the project shows our vision to provide better mobility for all,
without harmful impact.
Proof that our ambitions are truly long term.
“I believe that our industry, which is constantly thinking about the role it should fulfil, shares the same aspirations as international space exploration.”
Akio Toyoda
By using the same Hydrogen fuel cell technology as the Toyota Mirai here on Earth the project shows our vision to provide better mobility for all,
without harmful impact.
Manifesto film
We believe that to move is human instinct, and when we are free to move, anything is possible. But the JAXA rover project has a serious role in achieving sustainable prosperity and extending the reach of human activity. In space exploration, collaborations are essential and JAXA say their confidence is strengthened by “the proven durability and driving performance of Toyota vehicles” and our fuel cell environmental technologies.
The rover itself
A lunar vehicle faces many new challenges. Lunar gravity is one-sixth of that on Earth and the moon has a complex terrain with craters, cliffs, and hills. It is exposed to radiation and temperature conditions far harsher than those on Earth, as well as an ultra-high vacuum environment. Toyota’s ‘space mobility’ concept meets such requirements.
Hydrogen Fuel Cells
As well as our engineering, the JAXA rover is a great test of - and accolade for - Toyota’s Hydrogen technology.
“Fuel cells, which use clean power-generation methods, emit only water, and, because of their high energy density, can provide a lot of energy, making them especially suited for the project being discussed with JAXA.” Shigeki Terashi, Toyota Executive Vice President
Toyota has long been planning a sustainable mobility society on Earth involving a mix of electrified vehicles and fuel cell vehicles. To the Japanese Space Agency these have even greater potential due to their ability to emit less harmful substances, such as particulate matter, than the air taken in. This so-called ‘minus emissions’ characteristic is one the programme is keen to further improve on.
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