Air Liquide signs quadripartite agreement on space exploration and resources

Air Liquide, the Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES), the Luxembourg Space Agency (LSA), and the European Space Resources Innovation Center (ESRIC) have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) confirming their willingness to collaborate in the development of research and technology (R&T) activities. In the coming months, the 4 actors will continue their discussions on research projects in the fields of space exploration and space resources utilization (ISRU). 

The four partners wish to apprehend together the stakes and the opportunities related to the evolutions of space exploration, as well as in the optics of a cooperation centered on the themes of the production and the use of gases produced from space resources. Multilateral exchanges have confirmed a common interest in collaborating on topics such as in-situ production and storage of oxygen and hydrogen, production and storage of hydrogen energy in space and on the lunar surface, technologies for life support, and refueling of satellites and launchers in orbit. 

CNES, LSA, ESRIC and Air Liquide are in discussions to form joint teams that will work on concrete research projects by 2022 to develop key technologies for the production and in-situ use of the various gases needed for more sustainable space exploration. 

As a major player in space exploration for more than 50 years, Air Liquide is contributing, with its partners, to the emergence of a virtuous loop by creating synergies between its terrestrial and space technologies with the aim of their mutual improvement, for a more sustainable development of space.