NASA details battery work for future Artemis lunar missions

The project could help space hardware keep working through temperatures that stop conventional lithium-ion packs.

NASA says its SPEARS battery project is aimed at keeping power systems working in very cold space environments, with a possible role in future Artemis lunar missions. The effort matters for hardware builders because standard lithium-ion packs use liquid electrolytes that can freeze or fail in heat, while the Moon reaches about 212 degrees F in the day and minus 328 degrees F at night near the south pole. SPEARS, short for Solid Power for Extreme Environment Adaptability and Resilience in Space, uses a solid ceramic or polymer material instead of a liquid electrolyte. NASA says these batteries still need warming before use, but they have not been harmed by extreme cold in testing and should need less thermal-management energy than conventional cells.