Menu Close

NASA Spacecraft Powered By Missouri-Made Batteries Breaks Record

  • July 19, 2019

NASA’s OSIRIS-Rex spacecraft, which is powered by Missouri-made batteries, recently set a new record for the closest distance a spacecraft has orbited to a body in the solar system. It accomplished the feat while taking a breathtaking photograph of the asteroid Bennu.

Joplin, Missouri-based EaglePicher Technologies designed the batteries that helped power the launch, and have been at work throughout the trip powering the spacecraft’s onboard electronics. The OSIRIS-Rex, which stands for Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security-Regolith Explorer, launched on September 8, 2016 with a mission to rendezvous with the near-Earth asteroid, Bennu, study it and return an uncontaminated sample.

According to NASA, scientists think that asteroids like Bennu “may have been a source of water and organic molecules for the early Earth and other planetary bodies.” By analyzing an actual sample from Bennu, they hope to gain a deeper understanding of how planets formed as well as learn more about asteroids that could impact Earth.

This isn’t the only spacecraft to be powered by Missouri-made batteries. The energy storage created right here in Missouri powers several of NASA’s space program, including the InSight Lander and Curiosity missions on Mars.

For more information on Missouri’s empowered energy solutions industry check out our webpage, or contact Subash Alias, CEO of Missouri Partnership, at 314.932.3973 or via our contact form. We’d be happy to answer any questions you might have, and show you how Missouri Partnership can help with your business expansion, collaboration and investment needs.

What Next?