The auto giant is developing a mechanism capable of generating electricity and oxygen continuously -- enabling astronauts to breathe -- thanks to solar energy and water known to be present in some lunar soils.

Now it plans to test this technology aboard the International Space Station, it said in a release, without giving a date.

Honda already employs the system in its electric vehicles, and now wants to extend it to space to "to support life in space and on Earth."

"During the Lunar Day, the system will use electricity generated by the sun to power the process. Honda's high-differential pressure water electrolysis system will then produce hydrogen and oxygen from water," it explained.

"During the Lunar Night, when the Moon is not receiving sunlight, some of the oxygen will be used for astronauts to breathe. The Honda fuel cell system will use the remaining oxygen, along with the hydrogen produced during the Lunar Day, to generate electricity."

Several countries are working to establish a lasting human presence on the Moon, including the United States and China.

Honda has been working for several years with the Japanese space agency Jaxa on the American lunar program Artemis, in which Japan is a partner.

The ISS test, which Honda will carry out in collaboration with the American space companies Sierra Space and Tec-Masters, will ensure that Honda's system functions properly in space.

In recent years several automakers, including Honda and Toyota, have announced investments in the booming space industry.

In early January, Toyota, the world's number-one automaker, announced that it was investing $44 million in the Japanese rocket start-up Interstellar Technologies.

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