Project „Spacebox“: Berlin-based Consortium Develops Innovative Lithium-Sulphur Battery Module

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A joint project involving Theion, Space Structures GmbH and TU Berlin is now underway to develop a new type of battery module for the multi-billion-euro satellite market. The project involves lithium-sulphur battery technology designed specifically for use in space.

The global satellite market has been growing steadily for several years. According to forecasts, the market size is set to rise from USD 15.68 billion in 2025 to USD 46.79 billion by 2031, representing an average annual growth rate of 16.9%. At the same time, the number of satellites is expected to increase from 2,942 units in 2025 to 5,110 units by 2031. In the small satellite sector in particular, there is a growing demand for energy storage systems that are both high-performance and lightweight.

Against this backdrop, the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) is funding the “Spacebox” research project through the project management agency, the German Aerospace Centre (DLR). The project was launched on 1 June 2026, will run for 30 months and has received €2.6 million in funding. The partners involved are the Berlin-based companies Theion and Space Structures GmbH, as well as the Technical University of Berlin.

No nickel nor cobalt needed

The aim of the project is to develop an integrated battery module based on lithium-sulphur battery technology for use in satellites. Cell technology, battery management and structural design will be developed jointly and tailored to the requirements of space applications.

Theion is contributing its crystalline lithium-sulphur battery technology to the project. Designed for aerospace applications, this technology is expected to deliver twice the gravimetric energy density of the lithium-ion batteries currently used in satellites. Furthermore, the technology does not require nickel or cobalt and uses sulphur as a widely available raw material.

“The European space industry needs technologies that simultaneously boost performance and reduce weight. Lithium-sulphur batteries have the potential to play a key role in this transition. With the ‘Spacebox’ project, we are combining complementary expertise in battery technology, satellite development and lightweight construction to develop a highly integrated energy storage solution for future space missions,” said Dr Ulrich Ehmes, CEO of Theion GmbH.

Explore new approaches

The Technical University of Berlin is contributing its expertise in the fields of satellite development and on-board electronics. Previous projects, such as the InnoCube mission, have included the development of miniaturised communication systems and the integration of energy storage systems into load-bearing space structures. In the “Spacebox” project, the focus is on the design and integration of the battery management system (BMS), which is intended to ensure the safe operation of the battery cells under space conditions.

Space Structures GmbH brings to the consortium its expertise in lightweight structural and thermal design for space applications. The company develops and manufactures primary structures for satellite platforms and payloads. Within the ‘Spacebox’ project, the focus is particularly on enclosure solutions that meet the mechanical, thermal and radiation-related requirements of electronic systems.

Through this project, the partners are pursuing a system-integrated approach to energy storage in satellites. By combining lithium-sulphur cells, battery management and lightweight construction, the aim is to explore new approaches to compact and mass-efficient power storage solutions in the space sector.