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Saft To Supply Li-ion Batteries For Galileo Satellites
Paris, France (SPX) Jun 09, 2006 ESA announced Thursday it has selected Saft Batteries lithium-ion modules to provide onboard power for the four satellites comprising the In-Orbit Validation phase of the Galileo global navigation system. Saft Batteries will manufacture its VES180S cells at its factory in Bordeaux, and will integrate them into the satellite modules and test them at its facility in Poitiers, both in France. The qualification and flight model batteries will be delivered to Alcatel Alenia Space, the company responsible for integration of the Galileo program. Saft will deliver the batteries for the four satellites according to schedule between November 2007 and April 2008. Saft's high-energy Li-ion batteries are well established for use on geosynchronous-orbit communications satellites, where they became the first application of rechargeable Li-ion battery technology used on a constellation of medium-Earth-orbit satellites. This development follows Saft's successful delivery in May 2005 of the Li-ion battery modules for the GIOVE second pathfinder technology-validation satellite for the Galileo program. The satellite, manufactured by Alcatel Alenia Space on a Proteus LEO platform and due for launch late 2006, will and perform in-orbit testing and characterization of critical payload elements and the Galileo navigation signal and receivers. Galileo is scheduled to become fully operational before the end of the decade, with overall costs estimated at 3.7 billion euros ($4 billion). It is seen as an independent but complementary system to the U.S. GPS and Russia's Glonass constellations. Galileo will comprise 30 satellites in a 'Walker' constellation, with three orbital planes at 56 degrees nominal inclination and an MEO altitude of 23,222 kilometers (14,400 miles). Each plane will contain nine operational satellites, equally spaced at 40 degrees, plus one inactive spare satellite that can be maneuvered quickly into position in case of failures. Thes configuration results in a constellation repeat cycle of 10 days, during which each satellite will have completed 17 revolutions. The first four Galileo IOV satellites will be launched by two separate rockets, with two satellites placed into each of the first two orbital planes. Together with the ground stations currently under development, they will be used to validate the entire Galileo system, using advanced system simulators. The next two satellites will then be launched into the third orbital plane. In normal operation, the solar panels on the Galileo IOV satellites will supply all the power required for the onboard electronic systems, but a minimum of 170 times a year, the panels will be eclipsed by Earth, with no direct sunlight for periods of up to 80 minutes. During these periods, the on-board batteries will have to provide around 1.5 kilowatts of power to ensure the satellite's continued and uninterrupted operation. Saft has developed a specialized high-energy battery module for Galileo IOV, comprising nine Li-ion battery packs connected in series, each pack comprising three VES180S cells in parallel. The VES180S is a new, up-rated cell derived from the VES140S cells established as the standard for GEO satellite applications. It has a specific energy of 170 watt-hours per kilogram, a 25 percent improvement on the VES140S, providing a significant weight saving and improved payload capacity. Saft has 40 years of experience in supplying batteries for satellites and launch vehicles, based on a variety of electrochemistries including Ni-Cd, nickel-hydrogen and now Li-ion. Li-ion batteries can store the same amount of energy as Ni-H2 in a smaller package, delivering a weight saving of around 50 percent. It is expected that the Galileo satellites will be delivered into orbit by Ariane 5 launch vehicles. Saft has signed an agreement with EADS Space Transportation to provide all the in-flight batteries systems - including Ni-Cd and silver oxide-zinc - for the Ariane 5 program through to 2010. The Galileo program is jointly funded by the European Commission and ESA. Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Related Links Galileo Saft Batteries GPS Applications, Technology and Suppliers
GPS Phones To Streamline And Add Content
Binyamina, Israel (UPI) Jun 07, 2006by 2007, cellular customers in the United States and Europe will be able to use their phones to get to the nearest restaurant, find out if it's open and see the daily specials, according to a company that programs global positioning platforms for mobile phones. |
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