Nickel Alkaline Batteries for Space Electrical Power Systems

Nickel alkaline batteries used in spacecraft electrical power subsystems are either nickel-cadium or nickel-hydrogen. The nickel-cadmium battery has been used since the beginning of the space program, while the nickel-hydrogen battery is a relative newcomer. Both couples are still used extensively, and recent advances in each have been documented. There are advantages and disadvantages in the use of either chemistry, but the nickel-hydrogen battery appears to be more attractive for longer life and higher specific energy for payloads greater than one kilowatt.