Specialty battery maker Saft has received a long-term contract worth $9 million from an unidentified U.S. government customer to supply lithium-ion batteries for six satellites, the company announced Aug. 31.
Saft, which is headquartered in France but has a significant U.S. presence based in Cockeysville, Md., said the batteries will supply power to their host satellites during eclipse periods, which roughly coincide with the autumnal and vernal equinoxes. During eclipse season, geostationary-orbiting satellites experience periods when their power-generating solar arrays are blocked from direct sunlight.
Each rechargeable battery is designed to provide power for the life of the satellite, Saft said.
