US-based GS Yuasa Lithium Power (GYLP) has won a deal to provide lithium-ion cells to power Orbital ATK’s mission extension vehicle (MEV-1).

Under the deal, the battery system will be designed and manufactured by GS Yuasa Technology (GYT), in partnership with EaglePicher Technologies.

GYT’s Gen III LSE110 lithium-ion cells will also be used in MEV-1, which is a new space vehicle that can dock with geosynchronous satellites already on-orbit.

"This latest award demonstrates Orbital ATK’s continued confidence in GS Yuasa’s LSE lithium-ion technology for space applications."

Scheduled to be launched by 2018, MEV-1 is expected to extend service life of satellites running short on propellant.

Once docked, MEV assumes station keeping and attitude control responsibilities of an orbiting satellite.

GYLP business development director Curtis Aldrich said: “This latest award demonstrates Orbital ATK’s continued confidence in GS Yuasa’s LSE lithium-ion technology for space applications and further solidifies GS Yuasa’s position as the leading global supplier of lithium-ion energy storage for satellites.”

Last month, the company was selected to provide LSE190 lithium-ion cells to Boeing.

Upon delivery, the cells will be used to power ViaSat’s first two ViaSat-3 geostationary communications satellites.

Developed to support high-power missions, the cells enable satellites to complete a 15-year mission life.


Image: GYT’s Gen III LSE110 lithium-ion cells will be used in Orbital ATK’s MEV-1 space vehicle. Photo: courtesy of GS Yuasa Lithum Power.