BP will use its expertise gained drilling for oil to help Nasa in its quest to establish a base on the Moon, and eventually explore more of the solar system.
Deal signed
The energy giant has signed a deal with the US space agency that will see it share technology currently used “in harsh environments” on Earth and apply it to space. The oil giant says the deal could ultimately lead to collaboration between BP and Nasa on a range of technology, including hydrogen power, highcapacity batteries and small nuclear fission systems.
Nasa is working on the first lunar space station, to be put into orbit next year, as part of efforts to establish a permanent base on the Moon. It plans to subsequently develop living accommodation on the surface, along with energy systems.
BP’s expertise in developing machinery that works thousands of miles beneath the ocean’s surface could help Nasa to model and understand the problems faced with establishing a base on the Moon.
The agreement between BP and Nasa will focus on developing standards that “allow engineers and scientists to visualise equipment in remote locations more than 7,000 feet underwater or millions of miles away on another planet”, according to the oil company. Giovanni Cristofoli, a senior executive at BP, said: “Both BP and Nasa are custodians of deep technical expertise, working in extreme environments – whether at the bottom of the ocean or on the Moon.”
