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The supply of electrical power is one of the most important functions required by the diverse payloads of satellites. A fault in the corresponding subsystem might lead to mission or even vehicle loss. Among the causes of such faults, we highlight the phenomenon of thermal avalanche in batteries. It can be explained as an energetic unbalance where the rate of heat generated in the interior of the system exceeds its capacity to dissipate it. This occurred to the OAO1 of NASA just after its launch on April 8, 1966; and with the CBERS2 of CAST and INPE already in orbit in 2007 and 2009. This work presents a discussion on the causes and effects of thermal avalanches in artificial satellite battery charging and discharging systems.

The ever increasing complexity and integration of systems together with the explosive growth of electronics and computational communications have led to higher demands for energy, as recognized by the SAE ARP 4754 on complex or highly integrated systems. Electrical power conditioning and distribution is one of the vital functions in many types of systems, among which stands out the charging and discharging of batteries. In such systems, it's been known that incorrect handling can lead to thermal runway as already experienced in aerospace, aviation, automotive and portable consumer devices industries.