Satellites require some of the most complex and expensive batteries. Design, testing, manufacturing and operation of this type of energy storage device is extremely challenging. These batteries have to reliably perform for a specific number of years, with no chance to be fixed or replaced.

Low Earth Orbit satellites circumnavigate the Earth 11 to 16 times per day, stressing the batteries under an equivalent number of daily charge/discharge cycles. Energy storage and onboard energy consumption are both meticulously calculated to ensure ongoing powering considering the hours the solar arrays are exposed to the sun.

Some satellites have batteries that undertake more than 5,000 charge/discharge cycles per year. Therefore, the battery’s lifespan often becomes the mission’s lifespan.

Due to the limited operational temperature range of lithium-ion batteries—from 0°C (32°F) to 50°C (122°F)—these energy storage packs need to be cooled during charging and heated during discharge, adding unnecessary equipment and weight to the satellite.