Testing times for batteries in space continue, as agencies attempt missions that were impossible a decade ago. We should not forget that those environments are inhospitable for both humans and batteries. And that without batteries many of those goals are unachievable.
We Built Batteries for Earth Not Space
The batteries we use on Earth perform best at temperatures humans enjoy. This is quite understandable, because humans developed them in those same comfortable temperatures where they thrive.
However, once spacecraft and their batteries leave our atmosphere, they encounter extreme temperatures and near-zero gravity conditions. These are testing times for regular batteries in space, as they battle to keep going.
We should spare a thought for those batteries that manage to keep going despite testing circumstances. Although they scarcely have a mention in news items sharing stunning pictures of distant landscapes, and cutting-edge space technology.
We just assume their chemistry will keep working, and not freeze, over-heat, or fall over and fail at critical moments. And besides, deteriorating batteries only make news headlines when they fail completely.
Testing Times for New Generation Batteries
Battery scientists are well aware of those testing times for batteries in space. This is why they are investing huge sums of money, and dedicating time to resolve them. And they are making progress …
When space craft soar away from Earth nowadays, they carry purpose-built batteries designed to withstand extreme space conditions. These unsung heroes ensure that electricity keeps flowing to power mission-critical systems.
Phys Org explains what would happen if batteries were not space ready. Their electrodes could disintegrate from plummeting temperatures during space nights. They could overheat the moment the sun peeked over the horizon.
Life is tough out there. We could go on but the message is clear. We would struggle on Earth without batteries. Our space missions could fail without their energy. Where would we be without batteries?
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