NASA's SPEARS Project Develops Batteries for the Moon's Extreme Temperatures

Existing Batteries Cannot Handle Lunar Conditions

Most electronics on Earth depend on lithium-ion batteries built around liquid electrolytes. Those electrolytes can freeze at low temperatures, damaging the battery in the process. The same chemistry also stops working at very high temperatures, which is why a phone can shut down inside an overheated car. On the Moon, those weaknesses become a serious obstacle. Daytime temperatures there can reach 212 degrees Fahrenheit (100 degrees C), while nighttime lows at the southern pole can plunge to minus 328 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 200 degrees C). NASA says current battery technology simply will not cut it.

NASA's SPEARS Project Takes a Different Approach

Solid Power for Extreme Environment Adaptability and Resilience in Space, or SPEARS, is a NASA project developing a battery built around a solid ceramic or polymer material instead of a liquid electrolyte. The new batteries still need to be warmed up before they can function, but so far they have not been damaged by extreme cold. They also require less energy-intensive thermal management systems than their lithium-ion counterparts, an important advantage when power is limited on a spacecraft or a surface installation.

A Path Toward Artemis and Earth Applications

The eventual goal is to use these batteries during campaigns on the Moon, such as the future Artemis missions. NASA notes that while the technology is being developed for the lunar environment, it is possible the same approach could one day power gadgets here on Earth as well.

Sources: Engadget