As this issue of Global Hydrogen Review goes to press, the autumn equinox is imminent in the Northern Hemisphere. The equinox marks a rare point of balance where the day and night are almost exact equal lengths – soon after this however, light summer evenings become a thing of the past as the nights draw in and temperatures drop. Two people who won’t be observing these changes on Earth this autumn are NASA astronauts, Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams, who are currently stuck in space.
After taking off for an eight-day mission on 5 June, the spacecraft carrying the astronauts, Boeing’s Starliner, experienced multiple helium leaks and five thruster failures before its arrival at the International Space Station, causing NASA to question the safety of its planned return journey. Whilst awaiting a decision regarding their return, Wilmore and Williams have been floating 400 km above Earth at the Space Station, which, fortunately, is larger than a six-bedroom house and features a gym, a 360° viewing window providing extraordinary views, and also receives regular deliveries of fresh fruit sent up on cargo missions. On 24 August, it was finally announced that the two veteran astronauts would have to stay on the International Space Station until February 2025, extending the original eight-day mission to more like eight months.
Steve Stich, Manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, said that the reason for the delayed return ultimately came down to the ‘uncertainty’ regarding the safety of another crewed journey on the Starliner.
Certainty surrounding safety standards is an issue of equal gravity in the burgeoning hydrogen industry. Just how it was questioned whether the Starliner was safe enough to transport humans back to their home planet, similar concerns surround the safety of transportation methods for hydrogen. Where helium leaks triggered issues on the spacecraft, the threat of hydrogen leaks in pipelines transporting the fuel to its point of use back on earth is also a serious safety hazard. Hydrogen’s tiny molecule size risks leakage through even the smallest openings, causing potential embrittlement, with its high flammability and nearly-invisible flames providing yet another cause for concern. Strategies for managing these issues are explored in more detail in an article from Emerson on p.31 of this issue.
Upon its now unmanned return to Earth, all the data from Starliner will be scrupulously reviewed to confirm what steps are required to ensure the spacecraft meets NASA’s safety certifications for future missions. Comparably, ongoing research and analysis concerning risk mitigation and safe practice will be essential in helping to minimise the risks associated with the use of hydrogen as the industry grows. Sharing this research so it is understood industry-wide will provide the hydrogen economy with the foundation of trust it requires to flourish.
This issue of Global Hydrogen Review is the perfect place to start, with articles from experts including Black & Veatch, ANGI Energy Systems and DNV amongst others all providing critical insights into the development of hydrogen safety standards, covering all aspects of the value chain, from production and transportation, to the refuelling of vehicles.
