Orbital Sciences chooses EaglePicher lithium-ion batteries for French satellite

Satellite designers at Orbital Sciences Corp. in Dulles, Va., needed a power source for the AMC-21 satellite program, developed with Thales Alenia Space of Cannes la Bocca, France. They found their solution, lithium-ion batteries, at EaglePicher Technologies LLC in Joplin, Mo.

The SES AMERICOM satellite, which is based on the Orbital Sciences STAR-2 spacecraft, launched into orbit last August. The 18-cell lithium-ion batteries from EaglePicher primarily power the AMC-21 satellite during eclipse cycles.

This latest satellite program went to EaglePicher under a long-term agreement with Orbital Sciences.

Established in 2006, the agreement calls for the design, manufacture, and testing of lithium-ion batteries that could have a usable life of as long as 15 years in orbit.

EaglePicher develops technologies for deploying and managing lithium-ion batteries due to the chemistry’s ability to provide higher energy levels and longer cycle life at a low weight and in smaller volumes than lead-acid, nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd), or nickel-hydrogen (Ni-H2) batteries.

For more information, visit EaglePicher online at www.eaglepicher.com.