One of NASA’s Most Trusted Space Battery Suppliers
From the very beginning of the U.S. satellite and spacecraft programs, EaglePicher has supplied innovative space battery technology for more space missions than any other company. Our space batteries have powered launch vehicles, satellites, space research missions, and manned and unmanned missions — since America’s early days in space.
Over 3 Billion Cell Hours in Space Without a Mission Failure
Our space batteries provide the highest quality and reliability necessary to ensure success in mission-critical applications. When the United States entered the space race in 1958 with the launch of the Explorer 1 satellite, EaglePicher batteries were on board. Our products power more than 600 satellites currently in orbit, including many American and international missions.
EaglePicher Helps Power Mars Missions
Even though their operating life after activation is fairly short, thermal batteries are designed to provide extremely high power over a short period of time, making them ideal for the Mars Rovers. EaglePicher made similar batteries for NASA’s earlier missions, Mars Pathfinder and Mars Odyssey. The thermal batteries for Mars Exploration Rovers were designed and fabricated by EaglePicher under the cognizance of battery and mission assurance engineers from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).
EaglePicher Rescues Apollo 13 Mission
When an oxygen tank explosion crippled the Apollo 13 spacecraft during its lunar mission in 1970, the safe return of three brave American astronauts depended heavily upon the EaglePicher batteries on board the spacecraft. EaglePicher’s silver zinc batteries provided electrical power for the life support and guidance control systems after a fuel cell failed on the Apollo 13 landing, thus helping the astronauts return safely back to Earth.
Hubble Telescope Batteries Outlast Predicted Life
In 1990, the Hubble Space telescope was launched, and in 2009, the batteries were replaced for the first time. EaglePicher nickel hydrogen (NiH2) battery life exceeded its projected 5-year life expectancy by 14 additional years, totaling an amazing 19 years battery life in space! Want to learn more about EaglePicher Technologies’ space power generation solutions? Talk to one of our experts today.
How do space battereis work?
Space battery performance, life, power and energy density are mission enabling. Energy and power storage is critical; the amount of energy provided often dictates the operational length and operating environments where the mission can perform. The size and weight of the energy storage systems are often significantly constrained. Once installed and launched, the energy and power storage systems must be highly reliable, with redundancy to guarantee mission success.
