Modular Power for Lunar Exploration (SIIMPLE)

The SIIMPLE project is developing technologies and designs for modular batteries for the Moon and Mars. Batteries provide power to many space applications, such as Extravehicular Activity suits, rovers, and habitats where other sources of power may not be readily available. A modular battery would be swappable across these platforms, such as a rover on a multi-day mission with a depleted battery swapping for a replacement battery at a solar array station and leaving the “empty” battery behind to be recharged for the return trip or another customer/mission. Typically, each mission develops its own battery based on a set of requirements and interfaces are not standardized, so the batteries are not swappable across vehicles or missions. A modular battery would allow for swap ability across missions, enable second-life use cases when batteries are still usable, improve reliability and reduce development resources. A trade study will identify the best use cases and requirements to finalize a modular battery design that extends across both Lunar and Martian missions. The overall goal of the SIIMPLE project is to provide a preliminary design for a modular battery that has plug-and-play extensibility across multiple mission platforms and use cases. SIIMPLE will perform a trade study to determine the most widely applicable parameters across relevant Lunar and Mars missions to finalize modular battery requirements. Technology investigations and demonstrations will be performed to evaluate next-generation cell technologies, thermal management techniques, safety components, and packaging concepts. Deliverables include a power trade study technical memorandum and a technology demonstration summary. The proposed technology demonstrations and modular battery design will make progress towards closing modular battery needs/gaps for the Lunar surface and future Mars missions and allow informed investments for future prototype demonstrations.

​SIIMPLE Closes modular battery technology needs and/or gaps for Moon and Mars surface exploration power needs.Modular battery swap ability across missions, enables second-life use cases when batteries are still usable, improves reliability and reduces development resources. A trade study will identify the best use cases and requirements to finalize a modular battery design that extends across both Lunar and Martian missions.Within NASA taxonomies, the SIIMPLE project will directly aid TX03.2 – Energy storage.  Investigation, fabrication, and optimization of extraterrestrial modular battery systems will find application within TX03.2.1 (Electrochemical: Batteries), TX03.2.3 (Advanced Concepts for Energy Storage), TX03.3.2 (Distribution and Transmission), TX03.3.4 (Advanced Electronic Parts).  The SIIMPLE Project  addresses energy storage to enable robust and long duration operations on Moon and Mars, Power for Non-Solar-Illuminated Small Systems, Power Management Systems for Long Duration Lunar and Martian Missions, as well as limited applicability towards Power and Data Transfer in Dusty Environments. The proposed technology demonstrations and modular battery design will make progress towards closing modular battery needs/gaps for the Lunar surface and future Mars missions and allow informed investments for future prototype demonstrations.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 2) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.