Performance evaluation of nickel-cadmium and nickel-hydrogen aerospace cells with electrochemically deposited nickel electrodes

Eagle-Picher Ind. Inc. (EPI) began production of Ni-H/sub 2/ and Ni-Cd cells for Hughes Aircraft Co. (HAC) and other users in 1988. The cells use electrochemically-deposited (ED) positive plates that are produced through a process that is unique to EPI and HAC. Since that time EPI has delivered over 1,200 Ni-H/sub 2/ cells providing battery systems for 23 active satellites. EPI has produced over 1,400 Ni-Cd cells which now support 8 active satellites. Sampex, the only LEO type satellite currently in flight that is supported by EPI cells (Sampex is outfitted with Super Ni-Cd/sup TM/) is expected to exceed design life. There are three more LEO programs currently in production. All other programs are GEO type satellites and are performing well. This paper reviews the performance of some of these programs and address some special storage requirements.<<ETX>>