Ultra low temperature batteries for Martian applications

The Mars Microprobes are a secondary payload on the 1998 Mars Surveyor Lander Mission. The power source for the Microprobes will be two lithium primary batteries. The batteries will provide power for all the Microprobe instruments and data relays during all phases of the mission. The batteries will be designed to survive the peak landing shock that may reach 80,000 g and to withstand the stringent Martian surface temperatures (-80°C). Primary lithium batteries were selected for the Microprobes based on the high specific energy and the promising low temperature performance. Modifications to existing lithium primary cells were made to develop a battery that met all requirements. This paper describes the cell/battery design and provides test results obtained during the various phases of development