Key Findings
NASA’s SPEARS (Solid Power for Extreme Environment Adaptability and Resilience in Space) project has successfully demonstrated prototype battery cells that operate at temperatures from 176 F (80 C) down to minus 76 F (minus 60 C), with slightly reduced performance reaching minus 112 F (minus 80 C). Thermal vacuum testing further confirmed that the batteries sustain no damage after exposure to extreme swings between 212 F (100 C) and minus 274 F (minus 170 C).
Technical Details
Traditional lithium-ion batteries rely on liquid electrolytes that freeze at lunar nighttime temperatures, evaporate in the vacuum of space, or fail at daytime temperatures of 212 F (100 C). SPEARS addresses these vulnerabilities by utilizing solid ceramic- or polymer-based electrolytes. While the batteries do not function while at minus 274 F, the solid electrolyte prevents the freezing damage associated with liquids. Small heaters are used to bring the cells back to operational temperatures, which allows for lighter spacecraft designs by reducing the reliance on heavy thermal management systems.
The technology allows for chemistry tuning based on the specific application:
- Energy optimization
- Power optimization
- Durability optimization
Background & Context
Led by NASA’s Glenn Research Center and supported by NASA Langley and Ames Research Centers, the project began in 2026 with funding from the Research and Technology Mission Directorate’s Advanced Research and Technology division. The project evolved from previous research focused on aeronautic applications. Currently, the Ames Research Center is developing flight hardware, including electronics and test boards, to prepare the batteries for spaceflight environments.
Significance & Outlook
SPEARS is designed to support the Artemis campaign’s goal of a sustained human presence on the Moon, powering everything from astronaut emergency kits and long-duration scientific instruments to rovers exploring dark craters. Beyond space, NASA notes a broad potential market for this solid-state technology in terrestrial applications, including automobiles, drones, cell phones, and communication devices.
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