. | . |
Spire Global deploys and operates US-made battery in orbit for US Space Force by Staff Writers Vienna VA (SPX) Dec 20, 2021
Spire Global has successfully delivered a U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command (SSC) payload to space aboard its 3U LEMUR CubeSat. The satellite has been operating nominally since July 2021 and is performing on-orbit experiments to collect payload performance data. SSC, through their Science and Technology Directorate (SSC/ZAD), awarded Spire this mission under the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. Spire modified the power system of the satellite to successfully integrate ZeroVolt 18650 battery cells provided by EnerSys?, a global leader in stored energy solutions for industrial applications. On June 30, 2021, a Falcon 9 launch vehicle deployed the nanosatellite into Spire's on-orbit constellation, where Spire has been successfully conducting power system discharge tests to gather operational performance data on the battery cells and build flight heritage for this novel Lithium-ion technology produced by EnerSys. "The development of space-as-a-service offerings presents the larger space, science, and technology fields with opportunities to conduct research and development over a significant period of time at low-cost, opening the possibility of space to a wider audience than ever before," said Theresa Condor, Chief Operating Officer, Spire Global. "Traditional payloads can take years to get into orbit. At Spire, we have the ability to send up customer payloads within a matter of months, providing a fast, reliable, and efficient option for those interested in on-orbit research." This mission demonstrates the rapid integration and operation of science and technology experiments through Spire's space-as-a-service model. In a period of 12 months, Spire integrated the high energy, long life EnerSys ZeroVolt Lithium-ion battery cells into the nanosatellite and deployed it on orbit. "Working with Spire on this mission has provided us with an opportunity to quickly and responsibly place our ZeroVolt battery cells into orbit so that we may conduct testing and gather operational performance data," said Joseph Troutman, Manager of Business Development at EnerSys. "We will be able to further our battery capabilities and continue to provide satellite and military applications with world-class battery power to support mission success." The SBIR program is a highly competitive initiative which awards funding to domestic businesses and aims to stimulate technological innovation, meet federal research and development needs, and more. SSC awarded this SBIR to Spire as a Phase II program. Phase II program funding is based on results achieved in Phase I and the scientific and technical merit and commercial potential of the project proposed in Phase II.
A carbon-air battery as a next-generation energy storage system Tokyo, Japan (SPX) Dec 20, 2021 One of the barriers to generating electricity from wind and solar energy is their intermittent nature. A promising alternative to accommodate the fluctuations in power output during unfavorable environmental conditions are hydrogen storage systems, which use hydrogen produced from water splitting to generate clean electricity. However, these systems suffer from poor efficiency and often need to be large in size to compensate for it. This, in turn, makes for complex thermal management and a lowered ... read more
|
|
The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us. |