Talga to the Moon 
"Battery Materials Specialist Talga Group Joins Remote Operations Accelerator AROSE
September 17, 2022
ASX-listed battery and advanced materials company Talga Group has joined an exclusive list of members helping AROSE advance Australia’s remote operations capability on Earth and in Space.
Talga is the latest company to join AROSE, the Perth-based remote operations accelerator whose impressive list of members includes leading companies from the resources,
Space and research sectors.
Talga Group Managing Director Mark Thompson said membership of AROSE aligned with the company’s culture of innovation, research and development and sustainable growth.
“Talga aims to enable the world’s most sustainable batteries and advanced materials using our innovative graphitic technology,” Mr Thompson said.
“We are looking forward to collaborating with AROSE members and helping to transfer our knowledge and expertise of graphite-based products to
in-Space applications.”
AROSE Chair David Flanagan said Talga’s future-facing battery materials technology was an ideal complement to the products and services of its 14 other members, all industry leaders in their respective fields.
“It is an exciting time for Australia’s space industry with many opportunities for local companies to expand their service offering, develop workforce skills and become a valued part of the international Space supply chain,” Mr Flanagan said.
“The Space sector is creating a new economic engine for sustainable growth and jobs in Australia.”
According to Thompson Talga viewed Space applications as an exciting extension for the company’s advanced materials research and development program.
“Talga’s in-house expertise and facilities allow us to customise materials to suit highly specialised end use applications,” said Thompson
“Membership of AROSE will open up opportunities for us to participate in exciting new projects at the forefront of research and materials science with our industry peers.”
“European facilities are ideal for developing and testing products and materials for the demanding conditions of Space exploration.”
“Talga is one of the world’s leading developers of green lithium-ion battery anodes and high-performance graphite-based materials.” says Thompson.
Talga’s flagship graphite anode product has an ultra-low CO2 emissions profile with demonstrated fast charge, high-capacity and low-temperature performance and specialises in creating advanced materials that are lighter, stronger and more conductive.
Applications include building materials, coatings, composites, plastics and energy storage."
https://www.techbusinessnews.com.au...up-joins-remote-operations-accelerator-arose/
To the Moon Part II
I had wondered a bit why MT almost exclusively referred to our anodes. I didn't really expect it to be about that and more about next graphene thing. But probably here we are about space secondary batteries!
If you follow the link in the article, this will come up:
"Arose Connecting Industry On A Journey To Space.
November 23, 2021
A new opportunity has been created for companies to join the Australian mission to space.
As the first off the launch-pad,
Australian Remote Operations for Space and Earth (AROSE) welcomes mining technology leader IMDEX as an industry sponsor on its mission to design, build and remotely operate an
Australian rover on the Moon.
Recently the Federal Government announced up to $50 million will be made available under the Moon to Mars Initiative Trailblazer program for an industry-led consortium of Australian businesses and research institutions to develop a Lunar Service Rover.
The semi-autonomous rover will collect lunar soil that contains oxides, and using separate equipment, NASA will aim to extract oxygen from the soil. This is a key step towards establishing a sustainable human presence on the Moon and supporting future missions to Mars.
In June of this year, AROSE received a funding boost through the Federal Government’s Moon to Mars Initiative Demonstrator Feasibility grants, administered by the Australian Space Agency, for Stage 1 of the mission. Stage 1 is to develop the pilot concept for a remotely operated Lunar Service Rover.
Now AROSE is connecting industry to be part of this unique journey to Space.
IMDEX has joined AROSE as a sponsor for Stage 1 of the Mission. IMDEX develops cloud-connected sensors and drilling optimisation products to improve the process of identifying and extracting mineral resources.
AROSE Chief Executive Officer Leanne Cunnold said it was companies such as IMDEX that further strengthened Australia’s position on the global space platform by enabling the transfer of Australia’s cutting-edge robotics technology and systems for remote operations.
“The learnings from developing for the harshest of all environments, space, where you need to make things lighter, smaller, more power efficient can then help optimise operations on Earth” Ms Cunnold said.
“It also encourages other companies to be part of the nation’s Space future. The Space sector is expected to provide thousands of jobs and inject billions of dollars into our national economy.
“AROSE is connecting Australian industry with us on our journey to the Moon. I am delighted IMDEX has joined us as a sponsor.”
IMDEX Chief Executive Officer Paul House said the space industry was a natural extension of the expertise in automation and remote area operations that are the hallmarks of the Australian mining sector.
“IMDEX is at the forefront of finding solutions for the mining sector; using that knowledge to provide answers for the space industry will be both rewarding and exhilarating,” Mr House said."
https://www.techbusinessnews.com.au/news/arose-connecting-industry-on-a-journey-to-space/
I immediately asked myself how batteries actually work in space. So I went to Wiki and found out that there are two types of batteries. The one we are concerned with is the secondary battery, as it is intended for recharging.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batteries_in_space
Of course, I couldn't find any graphite in the nickel-hydrogen batteries because hydrogen seems to do the job here. But Semmel can pick this apart much better than I can and correct me if necessary. But the Wiki article is not quite up to date. Research has developed further which is explained in detail in this article by the ESA. It is a bit more detailed so here so here is the link and some info.:
Secondary Lithium Batteries for Spacecraft
https://www.esa.int/esapub/bulletin/bullet90/b90dudle.htm
So, Nickel-hydrogen is the past old generation and the new one is called
lithium-carbon battery.
(courtesy of AEA Technology) => Here, the link probably leads through our Cambridge branch.)
Here is the summary:
"
It is an exciting time in the space battery field. Lithium-carbon promises to revolutionise space batteries, providing a much bigger step up in performance than that which was achieved in the switch from nickel-cadmium to nickel-hydrogen. GEO spacecraft using this technology will have a significant competitive edge over those using nickel-hydrogen. It should also provide a considerable cost/performance advantage for small satellites, as well as improve mission capability for certain scientific spacecraft. In the interests of maintaining European competitiveness, it is essential that the greatest possible effort be made to qualify this technology for space as quickly as possible."
My summary: It's going to the moon with graphite from Vittangi.
Semmel?
"STUDY CONFIRMS AUSTRALIA CAN DELIVER LUNAR SERVICES ROVER FOR NASA
An AROSE study commissioned by the Australian Space Agency has confirmed for the first time that there is sufficient design and advanced manufacturing capability within Australia to build, test and operate a Lunar Services Rover in support of NASA’s return mission to the Moon.
...
Study Lead, Dr Sarah Cannard, from AROSE member Nova Systems, said the study identified more than 60 companies across Australia with the combined technology, services, facilities and workforce skills ‘available, or under development’, to design, manufacture, test and operate a Lunar Services Rover for
NASA’s Artemis mission.
..."
https://www.arose.org.au/news/study-confirms-australia-can-deliver-lunar-services-rover-for-nasa/
"Australian Moon rover one step closer with AROSE
22 Jun2021
An Australian rover for use on the Moon is one step closer to reality after the Australian Remote Operations for Space and Earth (AROSE) consortium received a funding boost from the federal government’s Moon to Mars Initiative Demonstrator Feasibility grants, administered through the Australian Space Agency.
AROSE will use the funding to develop a pilot concept for a remotely operated Construction Rover that could be used by NASA as part of its
Artemis Mission to return to the Moon by 2024 and establish a sustained and safe presence there."
https://www.arose.org.au/news/australian-moon-rover-one-step-closer-with-arose/
So for me, I love space and don't dismiss it as a crazy waste of money. I am now looking forward to probably going into space with two of my favourite companies. I don't know about you guys. I couldn't care less about the commercial effect. You know what technology is used for space missions. So if I were MT, I would be mighty proud to have been chosen.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it all works out and a small smart autonomous
rover inspired by
Akida will go up there driving many times faster than has ever been possible before, and empowered by
Talnode-Space.
I find that extremely exciting
