Nickel-hydrogen (NiH 2 ) batteries are widely used in Earth-orbital satellites. Several advanced NiH 2 cell and battery designs are under development, including common pressure vessel (CPV)» single pressure vessel (SPY), and dependent pressure vessel designs. Cells are being manufactured in sizes ranging from 64 to 250 mm in diameter. CPV NiH 2 batteries, utilizing low-cost 64-mm cell diameter technology, have been designed and built for several small satellite programs. An advanced 90-mm-diam NiH 2 cell design is being manufactured for the space station program. Production 250-mm-diam SPY batteries are currently under construction and initial testing has shown excellent results. Cell component level development is aimed at reducing battery cost while improving performance and maintaining reliability and cycle life. NiH 2 cycle life testing is being continued and cells have currently completed more than 95,000 accelerated low-Earth-orbit charge/discharge cycles and 30 eclipse seasons in accelerated geosynchronous-Earth-orbit testing. Nickel-metal hydride battery development is continuing for both aerospace and electric vehicle applications.
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