LG Chem to supply batteries for spacesuits to NASA

LG Chem’s batteries will be installed on spacesuits for space exploration by NASA or the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. According to the South Korean battery manufacturer on Sunday, it has been supplying batteries since early this month, after recently signing a contract to supply its lithium-ion batteries with NASA. LG Chem has entered the space development market as well as land, sea and sky markets encompassing electric vehicles, electricity-powered vessels, and drones.

LG Chem’s batteries supplied to NASA are used for supply of power to spacesuits. “Spacesuits are equipped with diverse functions including oxygen supply equipment, telecommunication tools and radioactive gauges needed to support astronauts’ survival,” an LG Chem official said. “LG Chem batteries will effectively serve as the heart of those state-of-the-art gears.”

Thus far, NASA has been using silver-zinc batteries supplied by a Japanese company in its spacesuits. However, the U.S. space agency has been taking steps to replace the short-lived batteries with LG's lithium-ion batteries, which is five times that of silver-zinc batteries used in aviation, space, and military fields.

“With the latest contract, our batteries have passed safety tests by NASA, the unrivaled leader in the aviation and space field, demonstrating the technological prowess of LG Chem batteries once again,” said Lee Ung-beom, president of LG Chem's battery business division. “By strengthening our partnership with NASA, we will continue to expand our market so that LG Chem batteries can be used in diverse aviation and space gears.”

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