Space

Saft spacecraft batteries to hit the stars

Extreme environments need extremely reliable batteries

Saft's record in designing and building lithium-ion batteries for space speaks for itself. We employ the most rigorous standards in terms of quality, testing and documentation to make sure that our batteries do not jeopardize a mission. Our solutions are used on extremely demanding missions such as GEO telecommunication and MEO global-positioning satellites and support specific applications from high-power telecommunications to observation and defense LEO satellites. Other applications served by Saft’s space qualified batteries include space experiments, launchers, space transfer vehicles, rovers, planetary landers, astronaut tools, space object study, and deep space probes. 

Built to meet objectives

Saft’s Li-ion cells are specially adapted for space applications from field-proven designs. Cells are manufactured at four sites – Cockeysville, MD (USA), Nersac (France), Poitiers (France), and Bordeaux (France) – which together meet the demanding quality, schedule and cost objectives of space programs. 

In 2014, the great success of the Philae mission was directly linked to the performances of the primary Li-SOCl2 battery. After more than 10 years of travel in very cold conditions (less than -60°C), the battery has powered the probe onto the Tchouriomov-Gerasimenko comet allowing it to conduct more than 90% of the experiments planned and to ensure the telecommunication with Rosetta and Earth during the 3 first days on the comet.

Space qualified lithium-ion batteries

A pioneer for the next frontier

Since the launch of our first battery in 1966 on board the D1A “Diapason”, Saft has gained significant experience to become the top supplier worldwide of spacecraft batteries. We are a pioneer in lithium-ion batteries for space applications and offer advanced battery solutions with very long shelf-life (up to 20 years). As no two space missions are the same, so no two space-application batteries are. Saft knows this and always works with customers to design a solution for their specific space needs.

Saft is the sole company to master all steps from electrodes to full battery solutions, and, the only battery manufacturer offering all technologies used in space: Nickel (Ni-Cd, Ni-H2), Primary lithium (Li-SO2, Li-SOCl2, and Li-MnO2), and Rechargeable lithium (Li-ion).

Incorporating electronics for safety

Saft’s fully integrated, “all-in-one” modular package combines electronics and electrochemistry to provide a system with intelligent autonomous cell balancing management, optimized for easy installation and instant operation. The system function includes balancing, by-pass, and discharge.