Cadoux (ASX:CCM) will participate in a US hypersonic test flight with Pluto Aerospace, validating batteries incorporating the company’s premiumHPA® under extreme operating conditions.
The test flight is scheduled for 18 August 2026 at Spaceport America in New Mexico. Pluto Aerospace will conduct a vertical launch flight test of a Dash rocket powered by Navitas Systems batteries that incorporate Cadoux’s premiumHPA®.
Navitas Systems was selected following qualification testing of its integrated recycled battery. The batteries will power the rocket’s control management system during the hypersonic flight.
The Navitas battery uses American Energy Technologies Company’s (AETC) complex additive formulas that incorporate recycled materials alongside nanosized premiumHPA® alumina.
The premiumHPA® improves cell performance, safety, and prolongs calendar life, especially at temperature extremes.
Managing Director Roland Hill says the test flight represents a ‘major step’ in the qualification and commercial de-risking of premiumHPA®.
“Cadoux is pleased to announce our participation in the demonstration of the hypersonic rocket to evaluate the reliability and performance of the Pluto rocket and to validate the innovative Navitas battery incorporating the advanced recycled materials and premiumHPA®,” Hill notes.
“The test flight program will demonstrate the battery’s technical capabilities and support future commercial implementation across many high-value application specific functions.”
The flight brings together three partners: Pluto Aeronautics is a US-based high-speed flight research and development company. AETC specialises in advanced materials research and is an approved supplier to 12 US battery manufacturers. Navitas Systems is a wholly owned subsidiary of East Penn Manufacturing Company, a family-owned US company.
The company believes this marks the first instance globally where a battery cell incorporating recycled materials has been tested under hypersonic conditions.
Cadoux is developing critical minerals projects focused on high purity alumina (HPA) and rare earth minerals, with a process enabling production of HPA up to 99.999% purity demonstrated through pilot plant operations.
Write to JC Villarba at Mining.com.au
Images: Unsplash
