Space Cells
ABSL can offer both primary and secondary batteries for space applications:
Secondary Cells
High Energy Density Cells
ABSL has two high energy density Lithium-ion space cells qualified for space application (18650HC and 18650LVF) with a third that has successfully completed pre-qualification testing.
Our heritage cell, the ABSL 18650HC consistently delivers a battery level energy density (including all structure, connectors etc) of 110Wh/kg across a range of battery sizes from less than 1kg to over 40kg. Our new high-energy cells such as the LVF can boost this to over 155Wh/kg. It is foreseen that ABSL 18650HC will remain the high energy density cell of choice for long missions for years to come with newer cells taken up as their maturity develops.
It is the long-term strategy of ABSL to be able to offer customers a suite of space qualified cells to meet the needs of different spacecraft and launch applications. In addition to being able to offer the cell with optimum performance for a given application, as more and more cells are added to the suite, backup cells will be available to ensure long-term multiple source availability.
The generic ABSL design philosophy can be applied to any of ABSL's 18650 cells. This approach allows the latest cell technology to be incorporated into the standard battery design. By qualifying the next generation of Li-ion space cells, ABSL can bring the benefit of a proven, low-risk battery design with reduced mass and volume to future space programmes.
High Power Density Cells
ABSL has a Lithium-ion high rate cell, the ABSL 18650HR, space qualified and already used in a launch vehicle system. The cell has the same dimensions as other ABSL space cells and so can be used in existing qualified space battery designs. The cell is able to deliver very high power discharges and has low capacity degradation under cycling.
The launch vehicle community is now switching from older cell chemistries to Lithium-ion to take advantage of the high energy, power density and reduced logistical overhead during I&T. Avionics batteries usually require high energy density batteries whereas flight termination and pyrotechnic systems, together with electro mechanical actuators, generally prefer high power density.
Primary Cells
ABSL has a primary cell, the ABSL 33111PR. Primary cells have the advantage of extremely high energy density (high capacity per unit mass) but can only be used once. A typical space application for primary cells is on Landers for "one-shot" descent functions such as parachute deployment or experiment preservation prior to recovery.