500Wh battery pack for asteroid mining

AstroForge, a space exploration company based in the US, has recently partnered with Kulr to utilize their space-qualified 500Wh battery pack and battery management system for an upcoming asteroid mining mission. The Kulr ONE Space (K1S) battery pack incorporates established modules and complies with NASA JSC 20793 standards, making it an ideal choice for the next AstroForge mission.

The mission, known as Odin, is already underway in space with the objective of capturing high-resolution imagery of asteroid 2022 OB5. This data will be crucial in preparing for the subsequent extraction mission, which will involve the Vestri spacecraft. AstroForge has designed a low-cost modular architecture for Vestri, which will feature electric propulsion, increased power capacity, and enhanced avionics compared to Odin.

Vestri, weighing 200kg and equipped with 1.7kW of power, will utilize advanced technology to land on a metallic asteroid and analyze the surface for platinum group metals. The battery pack provided by Kulr is constructed using NASA-approved cells and has undergone rigorous screening processes to ensure optimal energy density. Paired with KULR’s Battery Management System, the pack meets all functional, mechanical, and interface requirements for the mission.

The K1S battery series by Kulr represents a significant advancement in commercial-off-the-shelf lithium-ion technology, fully compliant with NASA safety standards. This scalable and efficient energy solution is adaptable to various applications, from CubeSats to resource extraction missions. Dr. Will Walker, Chief Technology Officer of KULR Technology Group, emphasized the focus on energy density and reliability in the latest design iteration of the Kulr ONE Space architecture.

According to Robyn Ringuette, Chief Operating Officer of AstroForge, the collaboration with Kulr has been instrumental in advancing their program. The ability of Kulr to deliver a customized solution within a tight timeframe, while maximizing energy density and meeting specific requirements, has been crucial in keeping the mission on track. This partnership highlights the importance of expertise and innovation in the rapidly evolving space industry.