ISRO has entered into a technology transfer agreement (TTA) with Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) to transfer the technology for the manufacture of space-grade Li-Ion cells. The TTA was signed at ISRO headquarters in Bengaluru on Thursday in the presence of Dr K. Sivan, Chairman, ISRO, and Atul Sobti, Chairman & Managing Director, BHEL.
ISRO uses Li-Ion batteries as the power source for satellite and launch vehicle applications due to their high energy density, reliability and long cycle life. ISRO’s Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) in Thiruvananthapuram has successfully developed the technology to produce space-grade Li-ion cells, and demonstrated the performance of the cell under various testing conditions and established its cycle life characteristics in accelerated mode. These cells are currently being used for various satellite and launch vehicle applications.