Air Force Nickel Hydrogen Cell Low Earth Orbit Life Test-Update

There are currently 132 nickel hydrogen (NiH₂) cells on test in a low earth orbit (LEO) regime at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division. There are also 10 NiH₂ cells in a special pulse test at the Aerospace Corporation. The testing, which is sponsored by the Air Force Phillips Laboratory, began in 1987. The majority of the cells have over four years of real time LEO cycles. The purpose of this paper is to provide a description of the NiH₂ low earth orbit life test plan and to present the current status of cells in the test.