NASA Glenn Research Center

Electrochemistry Branch

Battery System for Reusable Launch Vehicle

Lithium-Based, Polymer Electrolyte Battery System for Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV)

A contract effort is being initiated to demonstrate the viability of a lithium-based (i.e., Li metal or Li-ion intercalation compound as negative electrode), polymer electrolyte regenerative battery system as the on-board energy source for RLV systems. This project is part of a larger effort intended to demonstrate new, mission-enabling technologies for advanced RLV concepts. The advanced RLV is envisioned as an all-electric vehicle, with energy for all on-board requirements, including electrochemical flight control actuators, provided by the electrical energy source.

Demonstrate that the Li-based polymer electrolyte regenerative battery, plus the associated ground service equipment (GSE) required by these batteries for charge/discharge control and cell protection, can be designed as a system that will contribute significantly to the ultimate RLV goal of reducing payload launch costs to hundreds, rather than thousands of dollars per pound.
Design and flight-qualify a representative Li-based, polymer electrolyte RLV battery.

Define RLV power and performance requirements
Define integrated battery and control system concept
Define Demonstration Unit components and performance requirements
Evaluate existing cell technology relative to Demonstration Unit requirements
Design Demonstration Unit battery
Fabricate and evaluate Demonstration Unit battery cell
Design and evaluate electronic charge/discharge control and cell protection system
Design and evaluate the simulated flight vehicle main bus
Design and integrate battery system electrical interface
Fabricate and evaluate prototype Demonstration Unit battery
Fabricate and characterize Demonstration Unit battery set
Evaluate performance of the Demonstration Unit
Design and qualify flight battery

Performance Advantages:
- Reduced battery weight and volume, relative to conventional Ni-Cd and Ni-H₂, permits greater payloads.
- Greater cell voltage, 3.5 volts vs. 1.2 volts, permits use of fewer cells and results in reduced battery system complexity.
Cost Reduction
- Commercial film production methods for polymer battery cell components reduces cell and battery costs.
- Removing electronic charge control components from individual cells and locating them with the ground-based servicing equipment results in simpler, less costly cells and batteries.
- Long-lived, easily-serviced cells and batteries result in reduced requirements for ground-based service and maintenance.

Low-cost Orbital Placement of Satellites
- Communications
- Scientific missions
- Military applications

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Point of contact Norman H. Hagedorn
Last update: January, 2000

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