BP is to 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.
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, high-capacity batteries and small nuclear fission systems.
Nasa is currently working on the first lunar space station, to be put into orbit next year at the earliest, 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.
Ken Nguyen, a programme manager at BP, said: “As Nasa pursues a sustained presence on the Moon and Mars, we see a unique opportunity for BP and Nasa to work collaboratively on the forefront of digital technology that will cultivate further innovation in energy and space.”
Nasa’s deal with BP follows the UK Space Agency’s decision to fund Rolls-Royce research into how nuclear power could support a future moon base. The British agency agreed £2.9m last year in new funding to deliver an “initial demonstration” of a UK lunar modular nuclear reactor. Rolls-Royce said that nuclear power had “the potential to dramatically increase the duration of future Lunar missions and their scientific value”.
The initial phase of 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 that’s at the bottom of the ocean or on the Moon.”
BP said that working together could also “help advance energy production on Earth”.
Nasa’s research and development funding has long supported innovation at home, with the agency taking credit for the invention of modern trainers, memory foam mattresses and hospital CT scanners.
The US agency is racing to increase its presence on the Moon amid rising concerns about the potential for Chinese domination of space. In June, China’s state news agency reported that the country’s Chang’e-6 lunar probe had successfully completed a mission to land on the far side of the Moon and collect samples.
Bill Nelson, the head of Nasa, has claimed China has military intentions for space. He told US lawmakers in April: “We believe that a lot of their so-called civilian space programme is a military programme. And I think, in effect, we are in a race.”