What are Satellite Batteries?

Satellite Batteries are space-qualified energy storage systems designed to provide reliable electrical power to spacecraft subsystems during eclipse periods, peak load events, and transient operational modes. These batteries store energy generated by solar arrays and deliver regulated power to payloads, avionics, propulsion systems, and communication modules. The architecture typically consists of multiple electrochemical cells configured in series and parallel combinations, integrated with battery management electronics for charge control, cell balancing, protection, and health monitoring.

In orbital environments, battery systems must withstand radiation exposure, vacuum conditions, mechanical launch loads, and repetitive charge-discharge cycling across mission life. Performance characteristics such as voltage stability, current capability, and thermal behavior directly influence spacecraft power bus regulation and overall system reliability. Careful selection of chemistry, configuration, and electrical parameters ensures compliance with mission power budgets, safety requirements, and long-duration operational stability.

Key specifications of the Satellite Battery:

• Satellite Type: Defines the class of host platform such as CubeSat, small satellite, or large spacecraft. Satellite type determines available volume, allowable mass, power demand profile, and mission duration, all of which directly affect battery sizing, redundancy strategy, and integration approach.
• Cell Chemistry: Specifies the electrochemical system used within the battery, such as lithium-ion or other qualified chemistries. Cell chemistry influences energy density, cycle life, thermal characteristics, radiation tolerance, safety behavior, and charge management requirements.
• Mass: Indicates the total mass of the battery assembly including cells, housing, interconnects, and management electronics. Mass affects launch cost, structural design, and spacecraft center-of-gravity considerations. Optimization of mass must be balanced against required energy storage and power capability.
• Battery Capacity: Represents the total stored charge available for delivery, typically expressed in ampere-hours. Capacity determines the duration for which the spacecraft can operate without solar input and is a primary factor in eclipse survivability and mission endurance planning.
• Charge Current: Defines the allowable current during the charging process. Charge current limits impact recharge time, thermal generation, and long-term cell degradation. Proper alignment with solar array output and power conditioning systems is essential to maintain battery health.
• Discharge Current: Specifies the maximum continuous or peak current that can be delivered to spacecraft loads. Discharge capability determines support for high-power subsystems and transient operational modes, influencing voltage stability and thermal management requirements.
• Voltage Range: Indicates the permissible operating voltage window across charge and discharge states. The voltage range must align with spacecraft power bus tolerances and ensures compatibility with downstream converters and protection circuitry.
• Nominal Voltage: Represents the reference operating voltage of the battery under standard conditions. Nominal voltage determines series cell configuration and integration compatibility with regulated and unregulated power bus architectures.
• Power Consumption: Refers to the electrical demand imposed by connected spacecraft subsystems that the battery must support during non-generation phases. Understanding power consumption profiles is essential for accurate capacity sizing, thermal analysis, and lifecycle performance assurance.

The Largest Database of Satellite Batteries

SatNow has listed Satellite Batteries from the leading manufacturers and made them searchable by specification. You can enter the key parameters and the search tool will scan catalogs from the leading manufacturers to identify products that meet your spec. Once you find Satellite Batteries that meet your requirement, you can view product information, download datasheets or request quotations. Quotation requests will be routed to the manufacturer of the product who will get back to you directly. The quotation will also be routed to distributors of the product in your region.