An 83 Ah Ni-H2 battery for geosynchronous satellite applications

A 27 cell, 83 Ah nickel-hydrogen battery, designed, assembled, and qualified for a geosynchronous communication satellite, is described. The battery achieves a 44 Wh/kg energy density. Spacecraft operation requires a minimum 10 year life for the battery operating at 70% depth-of-discharge. Accelerated life tests verify that this requirement is achievable. The battery structural and thermal designs were also tested to prove that they can support the mission requirements under the anticipated conditions. An optimal battery charge management procedure under the spacecraft system and environmental constraints is arrived at to ensure that the battery will deliver the required power at the biannual eclipse seasons. Eclipse simulation tests verify this achievement. The battery is shown to have high capacity and high energy density and to be fully capable of fulfilling the mission requirements