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Unique battery reconditioning cycle for RCA's geostationary satellites and its applicability for low Earth satelliteSix (6) geostationary spacecraft, manufactured by RCA Astro, are presently operating in orbit. All of their batteries are performing well. They all contain unique battery reconditioning circuitry, permitting individual cell reconditioning to practically zero volts without the danger of cell reversal. This reconditioning is performed just prior to start of each eclipse season. This technique has maintained the battery's end-of-discharge voltage with mission life. The oldest operating RCA Astro geostationary spacecraft, Satcom F1 and F2, have now completed almost 7 and 6-3/4 years in orbit, respectively. Their battery performance, reported herein, show that a major milestone in the mission longevity of nickel-cadmium batteries has heen achieved. Low earth orbit test data show a long lasting effect of maintaining end-of-discharge voltages for nickel cadmium cells using periodic reconditioning. The unique RCA light-weight reconditioning circuitry can accomplish a quick reconditioning and prevent cell reversal. Reconditioning, thus, has the potential for extending mission life of geostationary as well as low earth orbit spacecraft, when two or more batteries are present.
Document ID
19830026980
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Gaston, S. J.
(RCA Astro-Electronics Div. Princeton, NJ, United States)
Date Acquired
August 11, 2013
Publication Date
August 1, 1983
Publication Information
Publication: NASA. Goddard Space Flight Center The 1982 Goddard Space Flight Center Battery Workshop
Subject Category
Electronics And Electrical Engineering
Accession Number
83N35251
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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