Paper Session II-C - Aerospace Hydrogen Technology and Its Potential Impact on a 21st Century Global Hydrogen Economy

Extensive use of liquid hydrogen (LH 2 ) in the Space Shuttle Program, helps make the NASA Kennedy Space Center (KSC) one of the world\u27s largest consumers of liquid hydrogen. Hydrogen also has the exciting potential of becoming a universal fuel and. energy carrier in the global energy infrastructure of the 21st Century. Because contemporary spaceport operations and aerospace system technologies involve the safe and efficient handling, storage and consumption of large quantities of hydrogen, it is logical and timely to explore the potential technology transfer role a spaceport, such as the NASA Kennedy Space Center, might play in supporting the establishment of an effective terrestrial hydrogen fuel infrastructure in the next century. Early emphasis is placed on innovative programs involving hydrogen-powered surface vehicles, manned and robotic, and the establishment of an academic-industrial center of excellence in close cooperation with government agencies. Because of the inherent demand for large quantities of LH2 at a major spaceport, the efficacy of colocated hydrogen generation demonstration projects is also suggested