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The tests, which were initiated under a Space Act Agreement between NASA and BMW, illustrate the organisations' shared commitment to advancing hydrogen technologies and exploring innovative transportation concepts and alternative energy sources. Kennedy Space Center is one of the first organisations to test drive the vehicle in the United States.

Kennedy Space Center Director Bill Parsons said:
"We are pleased to partner with BMW to test their vehicles and explore alternative fuel sources. This is using tomorrow's technology today."

The vehicle is fuelled by liquid hydrogen, one of the propellants used in the Space Shuttle Programme. The BMW Hydrogen 7 uses a liquid hydrogen storage tank and a hydrogen-fueled combustion engine. During the tests, the fleet of vehicles used Kennedy Space Center's liquid hydrogen reserve which was on hand to support mission STS-117 in the event of a launch delay. Liquid hydrogen will boil off and dissipate if unused.

The BWM has produced about 100 Hydrogen 7 cars, based on the standard BWM 7 Series model, which are being tested around the world including the London Assembly.  Many hydrogen fuelled vehicles use the hydrogen in an electrolysis process that converts the gas into electricity.  The Hydrogen 7 uses the gas in a combustion engine which enables it to run on petrol as well.

The Hydrogen 7 performs in exactly the same way as its standard car, however, the only emission in hydrogen mode is water.