Search Results

SAFT in cooperation with ESA (European Space Agency) and CNES (French Space Agency) has developed a 3.5 inches diameter NiH2 cell ranging from 36 to 100 Ah. This development program led to the qualification of the product performed according to ESA specifications on a batch of 15 cells of 90 Ah featuring an energy density of 58.2 Wh/Kg. The qualification program comprised a pre-vibration sequence with capacity measurement in standard conditions, leak rate measurement at maximum operating pressure, self-discharge and internal resistance determination, a sinusoidal and random vibration sequence followed by a post-vibration sequence to assess the stability of the performances after mechanical solicitations. The qualification sequence also comprises a capacity determination at -20, -5 and 25-C and a characterization of the cells behaviour under realistic GEO conditions.