Saft VES16 Solution for Small GEO

Abstract

At the end of 2008, Saft has designed the VES16 cell [1], a new Li-ion cell aiming to address Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite market. In the frame of ESA GSTP 5.2 activity, Saft has then developed and successfully qualified [2] a range of batteries based on the VES16 cell and its autonomous Simplified Balancing System (SBS), targeting both LEO and Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) missions The very good performance of the VES16 cell demonstrated in GEO mission cycling configuration allows now Saft to propose it on small geostationary spacecraft with typical power lower than 10kW, offering a simpler, autonomous and competitive solution compared to Saft high capacity cells solutions with VES180 qualified on several telecommunication spacecraft. This paper will present the design of the VES16, its performance for GEO mission, the configuration of batteries based on this cell, with their benefit and drawbacks, and will detail two current GEO applications using VES16 batteries.