On-Orbit Performance Analysis of New Li-Ion Battery for Geosynchronous Orbit Communication Satellites

This paper evaluates the performance of the new VL51ES Li-ion battery based on on-orbit telemetries of geosynchronous orbit communication satellite, including the charge-discharge characteristics, battery cell voltage difference, self-discharge characteristics at solstice season and temperature management characteristics. Under the same working conditions, the on-orbit performance of the geosynchronous communication satellite using the VES180SA Li-ion battery was compared. By analyzing the differences in long-term telemetry data of several equinox and solstice seasons, the degradation of battery capacity, variation of cell voltage difference, self-discharge characteristics, and temperature management characteristics of the two types of batteries were compared. According to comprehensive analysis, it can be seen that the new low-cost VL51ES Li-ion battery and VES180SA Li-ion battery have good on-orbit performance consistency. After evaluation and analysis, the new low-cost VL51ES Li-ion battery can satisfy the requirements of long-life geosynchronous orbit communication satellites.