The Military Power Sources Consortium (MPSC) Launches a New Committee on Battery Maintenance

The Problem: Unpredictable Battery Performance, Health, and Safety

One of the biggest challenges with batteries in electric vehicles, drones, and similar devices is the unpredictability of their health and performance. Imagine this: an electric vehicle suddenly fails mid-operation, or a drone experiences a critical power loss during a mission. The high costs, potential dangers, and operational impacts of these failures underline the need for a solution that goes beyond traditional maintenance schedules and reactive repairs. Unfortunately, current battery management practices make it difficult to answer some critical questions:

Battery Performance: Is my battery prepared for the next task, or is it nearing exhaustion?

Battery Health & End-of-life: Is this battery at risk of failing or, even worse, catching fire?

The lack of real-time insights into these crucial aspects results in serious consequences, including:

Increased Maintenance Costs: Frequent checks, unexpected failures, and guesswork often lead to unnecessary replacements and inventory surpluses.

Safety Hazards: Without early warning systems, batteries can fail unexpectedly, creating dangerous situations for users and operators.

Operational Downtime: Unplanned maintenance and sudden battery failures can lead to costly operational delays or even mission failures.

‍

The Solution: Data-Driven Battery Health Monitoring with Astrolabe Analytics

Astrolabe Analytics addresses these challenges by providing a robust, data-driven battery health and performance forecasting solution. Using machine learning and electrochemically-inspired models, the Astrolabe Engine offers predictive insights, allowing battery users and operators to make informed maintenance and operational decisions in real time.

‍

‍

How It Works

Astrolabe’s system integrates the data from batteries (Voltage, Current, Temperature) to provide detailed health insights, such as:

• Battery Safety for Next Mission: Is this battery safe to use for the upcoming task?

• Warranty Claim Status: Does the battery qualify for a warranty replacement?

• Maintenance Requirements: Is service needed, and if so, when?

• Battery Inventory Management: Is it time to order new batteries?

By deploying this technology in the cloud or embedded within hardware, Astrolabe enables users to manage battery performance dynamically, enhancing both safety and efficiency.

‍

Real-World Impact: Relevant Use Cases and Applications

Astrolabe’s predictive analytics apply to a wide range of electric platforms and battery chemistries, making it suitable for:

• Drones and Unmanned Vehicles (UxVs)

• Electric Ground Vehicles and 6T Batteries

• Shipboard and Aviation Batteries (e.g., 270V JSF)

• Portable Power Solutions for Soldiers (STUB)

Our Commitment to Industry Advancement: The Battery Maintenance Committee

The Battery Maintenance Committee under the Military Power Sources Consortium (MPSC) was formed with the purpose to further advance industry-wide best practices. This committee unites experts from leading organizations to focus on:

• Identifying common maintenance issues across military and commercial platforms

• Improving battery end-of-life recycling and repurposing

• Enhancing safety, reducing maintenance costs, and ensuring uptime

The committee’s work aims to reduce maintenance costs, improve safety, and enhance mission readiness, with membership open to both Department of Defense and commercial organizations.

The committee is currently seeking interested DoD and MPSC commercial membership to establish cadence for early discussion and identify nearest-term opportunities for improvement. Please contact Chairperson, and Astrolabe Analytics’s Co-Founder and CEO, Robert Masse, for more information.

‍

About Astrolabe Analytics

Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Seattle, WA, Astrolabe Analytics has secured $2.3 million in non-dilutive funding and works with prominent partners like the Military Power Sources Consortium, the National Center for Manufacturing Sciences, and the Washington Cleantech Alliance. Our mission is to accelerate electrification by empowering batteries to go beyond current limits through data-driven health and performance modeling.

Astrolabe’s solutions not only address the operational needs of today but also pave the way for more sustainable and reliable energy storage practices across sectors, from eVTOL aircraft to ground vehicles.

Join the Movement

As we continue to innovate in battery analytics, we invite industry leaders to connect with us and explore how Astrolabe can improve battery performance and safety across platforms.

‍