Venus may be Earth’s sister planet in terms of size and composition, but there the similarity ends. European Space Agency explains its atmospheric pressure is ninety-times greater than Earth, while its surface temperature is 890°F / 477°C. But at night the atmosphere can become as cool as -290°F / -180°C. Creating a battery fit for Venus is proving a challenge, but NASA is making progress.
Progress to Date with a Battery Fit for Venus
SYFY Wire explains how every lander NASA sent, met a swift end at the hands of Venus’ aggressive surface conditions. However the 1981 Soviet Union Venera 13 pressure-vessel-lander survived for 127 minutes despite that, before heat and pressure presumably crushed it. Although an alternative theory holds the ‘solar batteries’ may have failed.
It seems Venus is back in fashion, now Mars has yielded no proof of extra-terrestrial life. The space agency is hybridizing existing short-lived battery-systems for powering missiles (see link below). They say prototypes have continued to operate for unprecedented periods of time, and provide a foundation for a new battery paradigm.
NASA developed the new technology in partnership with Advanced Thermal Batteries, Inc. This they say it employs a unique chemistry, and a resilient design leveraged from experience with smart missiles. We decided to delve deeper and learn more about their battery potentially fit for Venus.
Venetian Environment Plays Havoc with Electronics
Conditions on Venus are toxic, NASA says. They can melt lead, cook standard batteries, and damage copper quickly. Advanced Thermal Batteries is developing a long-life, molten salt battery with a low self-discharge rate. They are hoping it will perform satisfactorily in the open for 60 days continuous operation.
Thermal batteries like these should have exceptionally high power densities, NASA explains. They could be dormant for 20 years, and then spring into action. Advanced Thermal Batteries has successfully demonstrated the principles. Perhaps NASA is finally on track for a battery fit for Venus at last?
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