NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland is leading a battery-development project designed for the harsh environment of future lunar missions. The agency described recent progress in an October 14 update.

The SPEARS prototypes use a solid ceramic- or polymer-based electrolyte. Testing at Langley in Virginia showed small cells operating at low temperatures and surviving exposure to more severe cold before being warmed for use.

NASA identifies possible applications in tools, rovers and emergency power equipment. Those possibilities are not evidence that a flight-qualified battery has already been deployed on the Moon.

The project remains in technology development. Ames in California is preparing supporting hardware and electronics, while additional work will be needed to translate laboratory performance into a reliable flight system.