There are three hydrogen fuel cells on board the space shuttle launched July 4 from the Kennedy Space Center. From About.com:
…the Space Shuttle's electricity is provided by fuel cells, and the same fuel cells provide drinking water for the crew.
NASA decided that using nuclear reactors was too high a risk, and using batteries or solar power was too bulky to use in space vehicles. NASA has funded more than 200 research contracts exploring fuel-cell technology, bringing the technology to a level now viable for the private sector.
More on hydrogen fuel cells from the same source:
The first bus powered by a fuel cell was completed in 1993, and several fuel-cell cars are now being built in Europe and in the United States. Daimler Benz and Toyota launched prototype fuel-cell powered cars in 1997…
…There are still issues with hydrogen-fueled engines and power plants. Transport, storage and safety problems need to be addressed. Greenpeace has promoted the development of a fuel cell operated with regeneratively produced hydrogen. European car makers have so far ignored a Greenpeace project for a super-efficient car consuming only 3 liters of gasoline per 100 km.
Will seek out more info on the Greenpeace car. Presumably a hybrid.
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