EaglePicher’s Nickel Hydrogen Cells Provide Power for BSAT-3b Spacecraft

EaglePicher’s 50 Ampere-Hour cells, supplied to Lockheed Martin Space Systems - the prime contractor and systems integrator of the Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation (B-SAT) of Japan, will power the satellite during eclipse seasons. The environmentally friendly battery chemistry has been the preferred choice for space applications for 25 years due to the excellent longevity of batteries made with this chemistry and the strain gages and associated electronics that provide the customer with accurate state-of-charge monitoring.

BSAT-3b comprises 12 130 W Ku-band channels (8 operating at one time) and will be located at 110 degrees East longitude. With a design life of 15 years, BSAT-3b is based on the A2100A platform manufactured by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems (LMCSS), Newtown, Pa.

“We’re excited to be a part of B-SAT’s HD broadcast services,” said Randy Moore, president of EaglePicher Technologies. “Our nickel hydrogen cells and batteries have been at the forefront of the industry for decades, and this latest project is further testament to the reliability and quality of our products.”

EaglePicher’s nickel hydrogen batteries and cells have successfully powered more than 450 space missions, including the Hubble Space Telescope where the batteries have lasted four times longer than the projected lifespan. In addition to Hubble, EaglePicher batteries and cells have supported the International Space Station, Lunar Rover, Apollo, Gemini and Mercury. In all, EaglePicher nickel hydrogen products have logged, more than 1.4 billion hours in space without a single mission failure.

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