Energy Storage Options for Low-Cost Spacecraft Applications

Several energy storage options currently exist for small satellite power systems. These include nickel-hydrogen, nickel-cadmium and nickel-metal hydride batteries. Nickel-hydrogen is available only as a spaceflight qualified system and is therefore relatively high in cost. Nickel-metal hydride batteries are available only in a small capacity, commercial cylindrical version which limits usefulness in aerospace applications. Both aerospace and commercial nickel-cadmium batteries are available, providing another degree of freedom in matching battery selection to the specific cost and power requirements of the spacecraft. Other near-term options which may become available include aerospace grade nickel-metal hydride, silver-metal hydride and lithium ion batteries. Other options for specialized applications include lead-acid batteries and silver-zinc and a variety of primary systems such as lithium-carbon monofluoride, lithium-thionyl chloride or thermal batteries.