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The USAF in conjunction with NASA and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory established the DoD/NASA joint program to competitively develop high power, lithium ion battery technology and to establish North American domestic sources for lithium ion batteries. The program was initiated in FY97 to meet DoD and NASA requirements not addressed by commercial battery developments. Four contracts were awarded for cylindrical and prismatic cell and battery systems development. Technical and program management advisory groups were established to coordinate program management and to verify and validate test results from individual contractors. Specific applications, contract deliverable items and the overall schedule are presented.

Increases in Air Force satellite power requirements dictate the need to increase battery useable energy density and lifetime over current levels. This paper will summarize efforts by Wright Research and Development Center to develop sodium-sulfur technology into a practical satellite energy storage system for GEO and LEO applications.