This research demonstrates that all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries can operate reliably in the harsh conditions of space, maintaining excellent performance over 562 cycles aboard the ISS, making them strong candidates for future lunar and Martian missions.
Ever wondered what kind of battery could survive the brutal temperature swings on the Moon 🌖 or the cosmic radiation of deep space? Japan’s space agency (JAXA) and Kanadevia Corporation took up the challenge and tested all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries (ASSBs) aboard the International Space Station (ISS) for over a year! 💫
Let’s break down this groundbreaking research and why it could power the future of space exploration (and maybe your gadgets someday!).
As we prep for lunar and Martian exploration (hello Artemis missions! 🌕🚀), energy storage becomes a mission-critical challenge. Here’s why:
Standard lithium-ion batteries (the kind in your phone) can’t handle such wild extremes. They rely on liquid electrolytes that can freeze, boil, or even catch fire. 🔥
That’s where All-Solid-State Batteries (ASSBs) come in! 💪
Unlike conventional batteries, ASSBs use solid electrolytes. Here's the magic:
🧊 Super Cold? No Problem! Still discharges at –40°C
🔥 Super Hot? Still Works! Survives +120°C
⚡ Long Life: Over 5000 cycles with only ~5% loss
🔒 Safe: No fire risks like traditional lithium-ion batteries
These batteries are rugged, stable, and made for space. But are they just good on paper? JAXA wanted real proof — in orbit! 🛰️
To put ASSBs to the test, researchers launched a 2.1 Ah battery pack (made from 15 x 140 mAh cells) to the ISS using the NG-17 rocket. The experiment lasted 434 days in the exposed section of the ISS, meaning it faced:
💡 The experiment setup (called Space AS-LiB) also powered a 360° camera to monitor its performance. That’s multitasking!
The team ran 562 charge–discharge cycles in space, under different conditions:
They tested different charge rates (0.1C and 0.2C) and discharge rates (0.1C, 0.5C, 1.0C). Result? No abnormalities!
They charged and discharged batteries at 120°C under vacuum — conditions that destroy normal batteries. These tough cookies still retained over 82% capacity after 500 cycles!
After 800 hours at –100°C storage, the batteries still worked perfectly. Even freezing darkness didn’t scare them. 🧊🔋
ASSBs endured simulated rocket launch shaking. Their structure held firm — thanks to their solid-state design.
Exposed to up to 8 Mrad gamma rays — way more than space conditions — and still held 99.6% of capacity. That’s superhero stuff!
They mimicked a lunar year with 12 cycles of hot charging (+120°C) and cold discharging (–40°C). The batteries still retained 70% of capacity after all that.
Here’s what they found aboard the ISS:
The batteries performed better at warmer temperatures (up to 2.27 Ah at 40°C vs. 2.11 Ah at 20°C), showing consistent behavior with ground data.
After 562 cycles, the space batteries only lost ~2% capacity — nearly identical to the 3% loss seen in identical batteries tested on Earth.
💡 Conclusion: The batteries behaved just as expected, proving that ground testing is reliable for space applications. That’s a huge deal for engineers designing future missions.
🔥 With such wide temperature tolerance, these batteries can eliminate complex thermal control systems, reducing spacecraft weight and cost.
👩🚀 They’re safe enough to be used in human spaceflight, even in unpredictable environments like the Moon and Mars.
🧪 Future research (using tools like SEM, EDS, and XPS) will dig into degradation mechanisms, so we can further improve performance and reliability.
With this successful demonstration, we’re one step closer to sustainable energy on the Moon and beyond! 🌍🌑
The Artemis Project aims to set up long-term human presence on the Moon — and ASSBs may power habitats, rovers, and scientific instruments. And Mars? These batteries could be the backbone of missions there too.
📡 Imagine space stations, planetary bases, and rovers running on clean, safe, long-life solid batteries. That’s the future this research just helped unlock. 🔐
This was more than a battery test. It was a bold step toward making the universe a little more electric 🔋✨. JAXA’s demonstration of ASSBs in the harsh realities of space gives engineers, scientists, and space enthusiasts plenty to get excited about.
🔋 All-Solid-State Battery (ASSB) - A next-gen battery that uses solid materials instead of liquid electrolytes — safer, more durable, and ready for space!
⚡ Lithium-Ion Battery (Li-ion) - A common rechargeable battery used in phones, laptops, and EVs — it stores energy by moving lithium ions between two materials. - More about this concept in the article "⚡️ Zapping for Lithium: The Electrifying Future of Resource Extraction 🔋".
🌡️ Operating Temperature Range - The range of temperatures in which a battery can safely and effectively work — super important for space and lunar missions.
🧪 Electrolyte - The "highway" inside a battery that lets ions travel between the battery’s two ends — solid in ASSBs, liquid in traditional batteries. - More about this concept in the article "Powering a Sustainable Future: The Rise of Lithium Iron Phosphate Batteries 🔋".
🔄 Charge–Discharge Cycle - One full use of a battery: charging it up and using it until it runs out — used to measure battery lifespan.
🚀 International Space Station (ISS) - A giant science lab orbiting Earth where astronauts live and conduct experiments — and where these batteries were tested!
☢️ Radiation Tolerance - A material’s ability to survive harmful space radiation without breaking down — crucial for electronics in orbit or on the Moon.
🌀 Vacuum (Space Vacuum) - Space has almost no air or pressure — testing in a vacuum checks if tech can survive in real space conditions.
🔁 Depth of Discharge (DOD) - How much energy is used from a battery compared to its full capacity — deeper discharge = more stress on the battery.
📏 C-Rate (e.g., 0.1C, 1C) - How fast a battery charges or discharges: 1C means full in 1 hour, 0.1C is slower and gentler — great for battery health. - More about this concept in the article "🔋 AI Predicts Battery Health in Record Time: A Game-Changer for Electric Vehicles!".
🔍 SEM / EDS / XPS - High-tech tools to look inside materials and understand why they perform the way they do — like a microscope for batteries! - More about these tools in the article "🔌 Supercharging GaN: The Secret to Lightning-Fast Vertical Power Devices".
Source: Miyazawa, Y.; Shimada, T.; Fuse, T.; Shimada, S.; Nishiura, S.; Okamoto, H.; Okawa, T.; Hoshino, T.; Kawasaki, O.; Naito, H. Space Demonstration of All-Solid-State Lithium-Ion Batteries Aboard the International Space Station. Aerospace 2025, 12, 514. https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace12060514
From: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency; Kanadevia Corporation.
