Thursday 10 April 2014

NASA wants to replace batteries in space flights

US space agency NASA wants to replace the battery technology which has long powered its space exploration programme.

Yesterday the agency put out a call for proposals to develop new, “more capable” energy storage technologies.

Michael Gazarik, Associate Administrator for space technology at NASA Headquarters in Washington said: "NASA is focusing on creating new advanced technologies that could lead to entirely new approaches for the energy needs of the agency's future Earth and space missions.”

Over the next 18 months, NASA will be splashing out on around four awards of up to $250,000 (£149k) each.

These will go to addressing several “high priority challenges” for safe and affordable deep-space exploration, including advanced energy storage, he added.