Chroma’s battery tester validated Orion’s lithium-ion systems for NASA’s Artemis II crewed lunar mission

Chroma Systems Solutions has played a crucial role in validating the lithium-ion battery systems used in NASA’s Orion crew capsule for the Artemis II mission, the first crewed flight in the Artemis programme. The mission will undertake a circumlunar journey with four astronauts aboard, marking a significant milestone in human space exploration. Chroma’s 17020 Battery Test System was employed to rigorously assess the batteries’ performance, reliability, and safety, ensuring they meet the stringent demands of space travel. The testing process was conducted in two distinct phases. Initially, the battery systems were evaluated under controlled laboratory conditions to simulate various operational scenarios. Subsequently, the test system was integrated directly into the launch tower infrastructure, allowing continuous validation of battery performance right up to the final countdown. This dual-phase approach enabled NASA engineers to replicate mission-specific load conditions, including eclipse periods when the spacecraft’s solar panels cannot recharge the batteries, thereby placing full reliance on the lithium-ion cells to power critical systems such as communication, navigation, and propulsion. Orion’s power architecture comprises four primary lithium-ion batteries within the crew module and additional specialised batteries in the launch abort system. The latter is particularly vital, as it must function flawlessly during an emergency ascent abort, a scenario where failure is not an option. The programmable nature of Chroma’s test platform provided the flexibility to simulate these high-stakes conditions, giving NASA confidence in the robustness and reliability of the battery systems under all mission phases. Fred Sabatine, CEO of Chroma Systems Solutions, expressed pride in contributing to a mission that represents a major advancement in crewed spaceflight. The successful validation of Orion’s battery systems underscores the importance of precise and thorough testing in enabling safe and reliable human exploration beyond Earth. As Artemis II moves closer to launch, the collaboration between technology providers like Chroma and space agencies highlights the critical role of advanced testing solutions in the future of electric and hybrid systems in aerospace applications.