Engineers at Space Systems/Loral (SS/L), a designer, manufacturer, and integrator of geostationary satellites and satellite systems in Palo Alto, Calif., sought an efficient power source for the International Space Station. They found their solution at EaglePicher Technologies LLC in Joplin, Mo.
EaglePicher won a contract to supply nickel hydrogen space battery cells to Space Systems/Loral for the International Space Station.
Mission STS-119 launched from Kennedy Space Center, Fla., in March to install the fourth set of solar array wings to the Space Station. The space batteries, assembled with EaglePicher battery cells, power the Space Station while the solar arrays are in the Earth’s shadow, which occurs approximately 15 times each day and lasts roughly 30 minutes.
Nickel hydrogen, which EaglePicher has supplied to the program since 1993, is known for its long life and resistance to damage from overcharge or over-discharge. It is the preferred chemistry choice in space applications for more than 25 years, according to a company representative.
For more information, visit EaglePicher online at www.eaglepicher.com.
