NASA lunar battery prototypes operate at minus 80°C in vacuum

(SpaceEnergy) NASA has demonstrated prototype solid-state batteries operating at temperatures as low as minus 80°C in thermal-vacuum tests, advancing technology intended for future lunar rovers, instruments and astronaut equipment.

The tests, conducted at NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, involved small prototype cells developed under the Solid Power for Extreme Environment Adaptability and Resilience in Space (SPEARS) project.

NASA announced the results on 14 October, reporting that the cells operated successfully between minus 60°C and 80°C, with slightly reduced performance at minus 80°C.

Separate thermal-vacuum testing showed that the batteries survived exposure to temperatures ranging from minus 170°C to 100°C without sustaining damage.

The batteries use solid ceramic- or polymer-based electrolytes instead of the liquid electrolytes found in conventional lithium-ion cells.

NASA said the technology could reduce the need for continuous battery heating during lunar nights, potentially lowering the mass and energy requirements of spacecraft thermal-management systems.

Although the cells survived exposure to minus 170°C, they cannot generate power at that temperature and require heating before operation resumes.

The project is led by NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio, with testing and materials research conducted at Langley.

NASA's Ames Research Center is developing supporting flight hardware, including test boards and electronics, to prepare the technology for eventual spaceflight testing.

SPEARS began in 2026 with funding through NASA's Research and Technology Mission Directorate.

Potential applications include lunar rovers, portable astronaut equipment, scientific instruments and systems operating in permanently shadowed craters.

NASA has not announced a flight demonstration date, commercial manufacturing agreement or operational deployment.