In lunar exploration, setbacks often pave the way for groundbreaking advancements. The tale of Japan's iSpace and its lunar mission, Hakuto-R, is a testament to this notion. While the mission ultimately fell short of its lunar landing target in April 2023, it marked a significant milestone in developing space battery technology.
At the heart of this endeavor lies Niterra (formerly NGK Spark Plugs), particularly in crafting components capable of withstanding extreme environments characterized by high voltages and temperatures. Traditionally known for manufacturing materials for automotive spark plugs, Niterra faced an uncertain future as global initiatives aimed to phase out combustion engine vehicles.
In response to this shifting landscape, Niterra began venturing into new territories, including solid-state batteries. These batteries, touted for their enhanced safety and performance, emerged as a promising solution for the evolving needs of both terrestrial and extraterrestrial applications.
According to Nikkei, following the 2007–2008 financial crisis, the Japanese government identified solid-state batteries as a strategic technology for development. This catalyzed efforts within the industry to explore the intersection of ceramics and battery technology. The decision to join the Hakuto-R mission in 2019 marked a pivotal moment for these companies, offering a platform to showcase their expertise in powering space exploration.
Despite the mission's outcome, iSpace's review report shed light on Niterra's success in space battery applications. The solid-state oxide electrolyte batteries demonstrated unparalleled resilience in the harsh conditions of outer space, validating their potential for future space missions.
The report suggests that as Niterra's oxide solid-state batteries demonstrate their performance and reliability with significant practical data, they are poised to advance to the next stage. Research efforts will prioritize the development of mass production materials and production lines tailored for electronic products and the burgeoning BEV battery markets. The goal is to introduce high-security solid-state oxide electrolyte batteries to supplant liquid or solid-state sulfide electrolyte batteries in the BEV battery market by the latter half of the 2020s.
