Evaluation program for secondary spacecraft cells: synchronous orbit testing of sealed nickel cadmium cells. [-20 to 40 C]

Technical Report · Thu Jun 09 04:00:00 EDT 1977

OSTI ID:6014774

Harkness, J D

Performance data concerning sealed nickel-cadmium cells operating under a synchronous orbit regime are presented. A space satellite maintaining a position over a fixed point on earth as the earth rotates on its axis and revolves about the sun was simulated. Results include the following: (1) exposure to synchronous orbit testing at a temperature of 40 C yields less than 6 years of life; (2) performance at -20 C presents a low capacity problem; (3) the capacity check, performed at the middle of each show period, provides a temporary red reconditioning effect on the cells in that the end-of-discharge voltages are higher, for approximately 7 to 10 days, following the capacity check than they were 7 to 10 days prior to the capacity check; (4) all the test packs at -20 C and 40 C have either failed or were discontinued because of low capacity; and (5) test packs at temperatures of 0 C and 10 C have delivered the best capacity during life and packs tested at 20 C showed better life capability than packs tested at -20 C and 40 C.

• Research Organization: Naval Weapons Support Center, Crane, IN (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6014774
• Report Number(s): N-78-32551
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

25 ENERGY STORAGE
250902* -- Energy Storage-- Batteries-- Performance & Testing
ELECTRIC BATTERIES
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS
LOW TEMPERATURE
MEDIUM TEMPERATURE
METAL-METAL OXIDE BATTERIES
NICKEL-CADMIUM BATTERIES
PERFORMANCE TESTING
POWER SUPPLIES
SATELLITES
SEALS
SPACECRAFT POWER SUPPLIES
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS
TESTING