Gemini Fuel Cell (Space Hall)

Project Gemini was designed to test out many of the processes, procedures, and equipment subsystems which would be used by Project Apollo. Performing long-duration flights was one of these goals. The trip to the moon by the Apollo spacecraft would be too long and require too much power for batteries which could be carried due to weight considerations, so fuel cells were to be used; thus, another goal of Project Gemini was to test fuel cells.

Fuel cells work by combining oxygen and hydrogen to create water and power.

Starting with Gemini 5 (the earlier Gemini missions relied solely on batteries for their power), all of the Gemini spacecraft carried two fuel cells in the adapter section to provide power for the spacecraft.

Although the fuel cells produced water as a byproduct, the water created by the Gemini fuel cells was deemed unfit for human consumption (although the technology was refined for Apollo and the fuel cells did provide drinking water during those missions).

This fuel cell was relocated to the Davidson Center.