Advanced Battery Technology That Powers Mission Success
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.
EaglePicher products are the most technologically advanced aviation batteries available, offering unparalleled power and energy delivery performance. These aircraft battery products incorporate sophisticated battery management systems with adaptive algorithms that allow the battery system to “learn” how the system is performing in the vehicle, and then optimize its performance to match the usage profile.
EaglePicher, a forward-looking, technology-driven company, was a pioneer in the development of Lithium-Ion aircraft battery systems for aviation. We provided battery systems for the B-2 Bomber, Global Hawk and NUCAS UAVs (the Navy’s Unmanned Combat Air Systems/Unmanned Aerial Vehicles), commercial jets and military/commercial rotorcraft applications.
As a leading supplier of advanced technology battery systems, EaglePicher has a long history of supplying multiple battery chemistry solutions for aviation applications. Our broad range of standard components allows for the development of customized aircraft battery system designs to suit specific application requirements.
Our aircraft battery products are found in such diverse applications as:
- Main-ship batteries in military aviation applications for engine/APU starting and emergency power
- Primary and backup power for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
- Emergency power sources for fuel shutoff valves, air-stair actuation, transponder power and more
- Mission-critical payload primary power
Our Goal in Aviation
Our objective is to deliver the highest quality, most lightweight and safest aviation batteries on the market that not only meets, but also exceeds, all the requirements to achieve a TSO (Technical Standard Order) through the FAA. With the capability to design and manufacture battery cells in-house, expertise in electronics and software design, as well as complete battery integration, EaglePicher is confident that our proven battery technology ensures the highest standards of quality and safety.
Research & Development Promotes Battery Safety
EaglePicher is committed to a robust R&D program, collaborating with a number of leading universities, independent research organizations and government agencies. Recent development activities have focused on developing safe Li-ion battery systems for commercial aviation.
Through collaborative efforts with the FAA, EaglePicher has developed unique safety mitigation strategies to ensure adherence to the strict safety guidelines of emerging battery standards. As part of this effort, we also participate in various industry groups, such as RTCA and SAE, to help develop battery system performance and safety standards.
Lithium-Ion Aircraft Battery Chemistry
EaglePicher is fully vested in Li-ion technology for main aircraft power. No other chemistry performs to the standard that li-ion offers. With aircraft operation becoming more and more electric, the requirements for power generation drastically increase while the weight and volume allowance drastically decrease. For this reason, Li-ion is the only option for future aircraft power.
