Powering Outer Space: An In-Depth Look at Aerospace Battery Technology

With space’s extreme environments, there is never a one-size-fits-all battery. Nor is any space mission ever the same, so customized batteries for each operation are essential. Saft, has been powering outer space for more than 50 years. Saft’s first battery was launched into space in 1966 aboard the D1A “Diapason”, which was powered with nickel cadmium (Ni-Cd) technology. To date they are the only battery manufacturer to supply all battery technologies used in space: Nickel (Ni-Cd, Ni-H2), primary lithium (Li-SO2, Li-SOCl2 and Li-MnO2) and rechargeable lithium or lithium-ion (Li-ion).