PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Saft, the world’s leading designer and manufacturer of advanced technology batteries for industry, has signed a contract worth over one million euros from Airbus Defence and Space Ltd (UK) to develop, qualify and test a specific lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery system to power the ExoMars Rover vehicle. The Rover is the key component of the ExoMars Programme, run jointly by the European Space Agency (ESA) and Roscosmos, the Russian Federal Space Agency. Thales Alenia Space Italia SpA is the ExoMars prime contractor.
The objective of the ExoMars Programme is to search for evidence of current or extinct life on the red planet as part of a branch of science called exobiology. This 300 kg Rover will land on the surface of Mars before moving between a number of sites and drilling into the surface to capture samples for analysis by its onboard scientific instruments.
Because any potential life on Mars may take the form of delicate bacterial cultures, ESA has placed a high priority on ‘planetary protection’. This requires an exceptionally high level of cleanliness to avoid contaminating any complex organic molecules that may be found.
The ExoMars Rover’s power system will comprise solar panels capable of producing 1200 Wh working in combination with Saft’s 1142 Wh (nominal) battery system. The system will store the energy generated by the solar panels to ensure uninterrupted operation during the Martian night.
The ExoMars Rover battery system is based on Saft’s MP 176065 IntegrationTM xtd cells. A key advantage of these Li-ion cells is their compact, lightweight design that minimizes the overall battery mass, so that more of the mission payload can be utilized for scientific instrumentation. Furthermore, the cells have been developed to deliver high performance in demanding operating conditions, even when subject to extreme fluctuations in temperature from -40 ˚C to +85 ˚C.
Saft is scheduled to deliver the battery system before the end of 2016 to meet ESA’s launch plans for 2018. It is being manufactured in an ultra clean environment to ensure planetary protection.
“Saft pioneered the spaceflight application of Li-ion batteries and we are delighted to be working with Airbus Defence and Space Ltd as Li-ion technology takes the next step to planetary exploration.”’ said Yannick Borthomieu, Satellite and Launcher Battery Product Manager for Saft’s Specialty Battery Group. “The ExoMars mission is confirmation not only of the performance and reliability of Saft Space cells, but also our capability to develop and deliver complete battery systems manufactured under the most stringent requirements for cleanliness and quality control.”
About Saft
Saft (Euronext: Saft) is a world leading designer and manufacturer of advanced technology batteries for industry. The Group is the world’s leading manufacturer of nickel batteries and primary lithium batteries for the industrial infrastructure and processes, transportation, civil and military electronics markets. Saft is the world leader in space and defence batteries with its Li-ion technologies which are also deployed in the energy storage, transportation and telecommunication network markets. More than 4,000 employees in 18 countries, 14 manufacturing sites and an extensive sales network all contribute to accelerating the Group’s growth for the future.
Saft batteries. Designed for industry. www.saftbatteries.com
