Remembering Tom Bacon: The Unsung Hero Behind Apollo's Moon Landing

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Photo : NASA

Nearly seven decades after he revolutionized clean energy, British engineer Francis Thomas Bacon is finally set to receive recognition for his groundbreaking contributions with a blue plaque at his former home in Little Shelford, Cambridgeshire. Born in Essex, Bacon is best known for inventing the hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell—a clean, high-efficiency power source that played a crucial role in the Apollo 11 moon landing in 1969 and significantly advanced energy research.

Bacon's innovative fuel cells, later dubbed “Bacon Cells” by NASA, were vital for the Apollo missions, providing secondary power that allowed astronauts to communicate, operate equipment, and even drink water generated from the cells. In a 1969 interview with the BBC, Bacon highlighted the importance of his invention: “Normally, in the course of time, a battery runs down and you've got to recharge it. Now this device, as long as you go on feeding hydrogen and oxygen into it, and you remove the water formed, it will go on generating power indefinitely – and the astronauts drink the water.”

His pioneering work earned him considerable recognition, with then-President Richard Nixon reportedly stating, "Without you, Tom, we wouldn't have gotten to the moon." This accolade underscored the significant impact Bacon's innovations had on space exploration.

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The blue plaque initiative is being spearheaded by Cambridge Past, Present & Future, a local charity dedicated to honoring the contributions of figures like Bacon, whose work continues to inspire research in sustainable energy. Professor Sam Stranks from Cambridge University, who specializes in energy materials and optoelectronics, noted Bacon's visionary status, saying, "He was a pioneer. Fuel cell technology was extremely important to the space program because as long as you can continuously supply the gases, you can keep producing electricity."

Bacon's efficient and adaptable power source was particularly suited for remote environments like space, and its influence can be seen in various renewable energy innovations across different sectors. With a resurgence of interest in fuel cells as a potential green energy source, Professor Stranks pointed out their relevance in modern applications, including powering long-haul trucks, ships, and remote facilities where traditional batteries would be too large and heavy.

Reflecting on Bacon's ambitions, he mentioned, "I always hoped it would be used for driving vehicles about," indicating his belief in the future potential of fuel cells in transportation.

Bacon's fascination with fuel cells began in 1932, inspired by his studies in mechanical sciences at Cambridge and the theoretical work of physicist William Grove, who first explored fuel cells in 1839. However, Bacon's journey was fraught with challenges. When faced with an ultimatum from his employer to abandon his risky research or resign, he chose the latter, continuing his work at Cambridge University and later at Marshall, a local engineering firm.

For years, Bacon struggled to secure funding for his project until, in 1962, NASA adopted his alkaline fuel cell technology for the Apollo program. A major investment of $100 million from a U.S. company marked a significant breakthrough for Bacon, whose invention had once been overlooked.

Despite the recognition he received within the scientific community, Bacon remained relatively unknown outside of it. Professor Clemens Kaminski from Cambridge University remarked, "British engineers have some of the most brilliant ideas, but turning those ideas into commercial successes often fails, and Bacon faced this. Yet he persevered."

In appreciation of his contributions, Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins personally thanked Bacon, presenting him with a signed photograph commemorating Armstrong's historic moonwalk.

Though Bacon passed away in 1992, his legacy continues to resonate, inspiring current and future generations in the field of clean energy. Professor Stranks summed up Bacon's impact, describing him as "a visionary and an unsung hero," emphasizing that his pioneering work on fuel cells remains a beacon for today’s efforts toward sustainable energy solutions.

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