March 23, 2018
ISRO, India’s national space agency, uses Li-Ion batteries as power sources for satellite and launch vehicle applications owing to their high energy density, reliability and long cycle life
The agency’s Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) has developed the technology to produce space grade Li-ion cell abd demonstrated the performance of the cell under various conditions
The technology transfer agreement comes amid a series of space programmes and satellite launches being carried out by ISRO for the Indian Government as well as foreign entities
Over the last four years, ISRO has successfully accomplished 48 space missions, including 21 Launch Vehicle missions, 24 Satellite Missions and 3 Technology Demonstrators
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has entered into an agreement with the Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) for transfer of technology for the production of space grade Li-Ion cells. ISRO, India’s national space agency, uses Li-Ion batteries as power sources for satellite and launch vehicle applications owing to their high energy density, reliability and long cycle life. The agency’s Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) at Thiruvananthapuram has successfully developed the technology to produce space grade Li-ion cell, demonstrated the performance of the cell under various testing conditions and established its cycle life characteristics in accelerated mode. These advanced battery cells are currently being used for various satellite and launch vehicle applications.
This Li-Ion cell technology transfer will enable BHEL to produce space grade Li-Ion cells which can meet the country’s space programme requirements. The technology transfer agreement comes amid a series of space programmes being carried out by the ISRO for India as well as foreign governments. For instance, in December 2017, the ISRO and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) of the USA’s National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) have entered into a agreement to jointly develop and launch a radar imaging satellite. Such agreements open up opportunities for private and foreign partnerships in India’s space sector in technology as well as in terms of investment. Meanwhile, ISRO is also preparing to launch Chandrayaan-2, India’s second mission to the moon, in 2018.
ISRO, with one of the largest fleet of communication satellites (INSAT) and remote sensing (IRS) satellites, is one of the six largest space agencies in the world. India’s space programme stands out as one of the most efficient and cost-competitive in the world. Last year, ISRO had gathered global accolade after launching 104 satellites, including three from India and 101 from six foreign countries, in one mission. Over the last four years, ISRO has successfully accomplished 48 missions, including 21 Launch Vehicle missions, 24 Satellite Missions and 3 Technology Demonstrators. Resultantly, utilisation of space technology has steadily increased among various indigenous projects and technologies. This is ideal as the space grade Li-Ion cells technology can also be adopted for other national needs.