Session
Technical Session I: Advanced Component Developments
Abstract
It is estimated since the latter part of the 1950's through the early 1970's, EaglePicher has manufactured over 1,000 nickel-cadmium (NiCd) spacecraft batteries and over 200 nickel-hydrogen (NiH2) spacecraft batteries. More recently (1994 to present), lithium-ion technology development has successfully produced and tested over 3,000 cells and several batteries. These high energy density, lithium secondary cells are very attractive for use on future spacecraft. This paper summarizes the past and present activities of Eagle-Picher Technologies (EPT) in the quest to develop lithium-ion technology for spacecraft applications, as well as environmental issues and future development work. Specific technical challenges include the ability of lithium secondary cells to achieve the high cycle life and long calendar life required for use on high-reliability spacecraft, and the difficulties in scaling up the available small cell technology to larger sizes required for spacecraft power systems. With significant improvement over existing cell technology, the lithium-ion system will someday provide tremendous savings in lift-off cost as well as package flexibility.
Satellite Cell Development: Lithium-Ion Profile
It is estimated since the latter part of the 1950's through the early 1970's, EaglePicher has manufactured over 1,000 nickel-cadmium (NiCd) spacecraft batteries and over 200 nickel-hydrogen (NiH2) spacecraft batteries. More recently (1994 to present), lithium-ion technology development has successfully produced and tested over 3,000 cells and several batteries. These high energy density, lithium secondary cells are very attractive for use on future spacecraft. This paper summarizes the past and present activities of Eagle-Picher Technologies (EPT) in the quest to develop lithium-ion technology for spacecraft applications, as well as environmental issues and future development work. Specific technical challenges include the ability of lithium secondary cells to achieve the high cycle life and long calendar life required for use on high-reliability spacecraft, and the difficulties in scaling up the available small cell technology to larger sizes required for spacecraft power systems. With significant improvement over existing cell technology, the lithium-ion system will someday provide tremendous savings in lift-off cost as well as package flexibility.
