Nickel-Hydrogen Life Cycle Testing: Review and Analysis

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The review and analysis reported here are the outcomes of a project carried out from 1998-2001 within the Energy Technology Department of the The Aerospace Corporation to examine the available results of different nickel-hydrogen life testing programs that had been or were being carried out for low Earth orbit (LEO) applications. The cycling programs, some of which are still in progress, were conducted under different sponsorships and carried out at different testing facilities. Data presented in this book generally reflect the order in which the phases of the project developed and expanded. The chapters have been divided into different categories. The first section addresses the goal of minimizing the rates of the different capacity loss mechanisms during long-term cycling. The second addresses the goal of maximizing the usability of these cells and batteries for different overall mission goals. The last section contains a few overall summary statements and conclusions.