Ocean hydrogen for launch operations

Most existing and potential orbital and space launching facilities are located adjacent to oceans. These oceans can provide both the required energy and material for hydrogen production. A system has been designed to produce hydrogen and oxygen from the ocean adjacent to the Kennedy Space Center. The systems will utilize the swell and wave energy in the ocean as the energy source for the electrolysis. Production of the hydrogen and oxygen would be performed on shore and piped directly to the launch facility. Thus, both the cost of transportation, and the inherent risk associated with overland transportation would be virtually eliminated. The energy cost for producing the hydrogen and oxygen will be reduced by direct conversion of the energy in the ocean swells to electric power for the electrolysis process.