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The sodium-sulfur battery is emerging as a prime high-temperature energy storage technology for space flight applications. Useable specific energy of two to three times that of Ni-H2 batteries is the key advantage of Na-S. This represents a significant launch cost savings, and increased payload mass capability. A Na-S cell demonstration is planned for a 1995 NASA Space Shuttle flight which focuses on the micro-gravity effects on individual cells. This paper will describe the experiment plan in detail.

The Ford Sodium-Sulfur battery is evaluated for applications in electric vehicles. The required power and energy ratings of a battery to achieve acceptable performance and driving range for a specific commuter-type vehicle are calculated and discussed. The relative merits of the use of mechanical transmissions and regenerative braking in electric vehicles are explored. Volumes and weights of several battery packages based upon realistic NaS cell designs are calculated, and the thermal management problems of these high-temperature battery packages during the varying power levels required in vehicular applications are discussed.