Product category:
Batteries and Chargers
News Release from: Saft Lithium Battery Division
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 07 July 2006
Boeing satellite to use Li-ion batteries
Saft has won a contract from Boeing to supply lithium-ion batteries for the Mobile Satellite Ventures Satellite programme.
Saft recently won a contract from Boeing to supply lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries for the Mobile Satellite Ventures Satellite programme The multi-million-dollar contract will mark Saft's largest US commercial satellite contract for Li-ion batteries and the first commercial satellite program using Li-ion technology for Boeing
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 3 Feb 2000 at 8.00am (UK)
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The satellites will be among the largest and most powerful ever built and will be provided to Mobile Satellite Ventures (MSV) for an advanced commercial telecommunications network.
Saft will become Boeing's designated source for Li-ion technology for two of the Boeing-built GEO-Mobile MSV satellites, providing up to 18 years of battery life.
The rechargeable Li-ion batteries will be installed on the satellites to power critical systems.
Further reading
9V battery has double the capacity of alkalines
Saft's new 9V primary (non-rechargeable) lithium batteries have twice the capacity of standard alkaline equivalents, doubling the life between battery changes of equipment.
Lithium primary cell gives a 12% capacity boost
Saft's new LS 33600C primary lithium cell has a nominal capacity of 18.5Ah, 12 per cent higher than Saft's existing high-capacity D-size lithium cell.
Saft's VES140 40Ah Li-ion cells (arranged in a 6P12S configuration) will provide a compact, weight-saving source of onboard power to ensure continuous, reliable operation of the satellites at times when their solar panels are in eclipse.
Saft's Li-ion batteries allow Boeing and MSV to decrease the satellite's weight significantly versus the previously used nickel-hydrogen battery chemistry.
This approximately 30 to 50% weight savings on the battery (yielded from Saft's Li-ion battery high specific energy of 120Wh/kg) allows the satellite manufacturer and user to dedicate more of the satellite's crucial mass to the payload, or revenue generating part of the spacecraft.
"Saft has been working with Boeing for many years and this award is the result of a group effort to get Li-ion batteries onboard their GEO-Mobile satellites", said John Searle, Saft CEO.
"Li-ion is the ideal battery technology for space applications due to its superior performance and light weight".
"We believe this award strengthens Saft's position as a leading supplier of Li-ion battery systems for the US space market".
Boeing will build the GEO-mobile satellites, based on its powerful 702 infrastructure, for the world's first commercial mobile satellite service using both space and terrestrial elements.
The network, based on MSV's patented ancillary terrestrial component (ATC) technology, combines the best of satellite and cellular technology.
It will deliver reliable, advanced and widespread voice and data.
Each spacecraft will supply 11kW of power.
This award from Boeing adds to Saft's extensive list of spacecraft programs (39 programs to date), and enhances Saft's growth in the US space battery market. Request free introductory details about products from Saft Lithium Battery Division ...
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