Abstract
A new program has been established by the US Air Force to qualify aerospace flight quality nickel-cadmium cells from available manufacturers. The first cells received were from SAFT/France. SAFT/France VOS-A (24 Ah, 40 Ah) and VOS-B (20 Ah) cells have successfully completed acceptance, electrical characterization and special characterization cycle testing (550 cycles). A mechanical problem was observed with the SAFT/France VOS-A 40 Ah external cell terminals. Vibration testing has been performed on the SAFT/France VOS-A and the VOS-B cells. The 24 Ah cells passed the high level vibration. Four 40 Ah cells passed high level vibration. Two 20 Ah cells passed high level vibration. The SAFT/France VOS-A 40 and 24 Ah cells are currently in low Earth orbit (LEO) and geosynchronous orbit (GEO) cycling. To date, there have been no failures. No performance anomalies have been observed. LEO and GEO life cycling have continued on the remaining cells in the first test program, the separator qualification program. >
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