Lithium-Sulfur Batteries to be Tested Aboard the ISS in 2025

Lyten, a developer of advanced battery technology, announced that its lithium-sulfur battery cells will go from the laboratory to space: The novel cells will be tested aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of a 2025 mission. This marks a milestone for Lyten, with its cells being evaluated for use in satellites, space suits, and extravehicular activities (EVA). The testing is funded by the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), the Department of Defense’s innovation hub.

The batteries will be subjected to rigorous conditions, including launch, orbital operation, and recovery, to determine their viability for space applications. If successful, Lyten's cells could be certified for a range of space-related uses.

Advantages of lithium-sulfur for space

Lyten's lithium-sulfur cells are noted for their high energy density and lighter weight, which are critical in space applications where weight savings translate into significant cost and performance advantages. Dan Cook, Lyten’s co-founder and CEO, emphasized the importance of this opportunity, saying, "The process for inclusion of batteries for testing on the International Space Station is a highly competitive one and a necessary step to enable broad adoption of lithium-sulfur for space applications. We are honored by the selection of Lyten’s lithium-sulfur cells.”

Related:The Vital Role of Rechargeable Batteries in Space Exploration

Lyten batteries LYTEN

Lyten aims to qualify three different battery formats on the ISS, including pouch and cylindrical cells. The goal is to demonstrate the adaptability of these cells across various space technologies.

Growing demand in space and aerospace

Celina Mikolajczak, Lyten’s Chief Battery Technology Officer, pointed to the increasing demand for high-energy-density batteries as the space economy continues to grow. “The rapid growth in low earth orbit satellite deployments in support of communications and the expansion of the broader space economy create a very compelling use for high-energy density, lithium-sulfur battery cells," she said. "These are applications where weight and reliability are of critical importance."

The potential of lithium-sulfur cells to extend astronauts' extravehicular activity (EVA) time from the current 4-5 hours to 8 hours is also a significant benefit. Ratnakumar Bugga, Senior Fellow at Lyten, highlighted the origins of the technology, stating, "Lithium-sulfur battery technology development was originally funded by NASA to extend Astronaut’s extravehicular activity to 8 hours versus the 4 – 5 hours possible with existing lithium-ion batteries.”

Related:From Apollo to Webb: Batteries—in Space!

Expanding applications across industries

In addition to space, Lyten’s lithium-sulfur batteries are being tested for various other applications. The company recently partnered with AEVEX to power unmanned air vehicles (UAVs), marking the first aerospace application for lithium-sulfur technology. The batteries are up to 40% lighter than lithium-ion and 60% lighter than lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, positioning them as ideal for industries where weight reduction is critical, such as automotive, aerospace, defense, and micromobility.

There is a long, rich history of batteries in space exploration: Lithium-sulfur battery technology may be on the cusp of joining a laudable progression from the earliest days of the world’s ventures to the ‘final frontier.’