January 9, 2026: Chinese astronauts have been conducting novel battery performance tests in space — designed to observe technical processes without the interference of gravity.

The tests on lithium ion batteries were carried out aboard China’s Tiangong space station, the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences told China’s state Xinhua news agency on January 7.

This experiment, conducted by the three astronauts comprising the ‘Shenzhou-21’ crew, aims to uncover the mechanisms behind battery performance by using the unique conditions of space.

Lithium ion batteries are essential for modern space missions due to their high energy density and reliability. However, the institute said a thorough understanding of the batteries’ internal behaviour, particularly how chemicals distribute within the electrolyte, which critically impacts power output and lifespan, has been challenging to achieve under conditions on Earth.

“The fundamental challenge on the ground lies in gravity,” said the institute. “Gravity is constantly intertwined with electric fields, making it difficult to isolate the influence of gravity on internal battery processes.”

In contrast, the microgravity environment of the space station offers an ideal setting to observe these processes without the interference of gravity.

According to the institute, insights gained from the microgravity research are expected to overcome current limitations in understanding the interplay between gravitational and electric fields.

These findings are expected to help improve existing battery systems in orbit and support the design of a new generation of safer, higher-energy-density batteries for future space exploration.