GS Yuasa lithium-ion batteries have helped to power a Japanese H-IIA rocket into space. The Mitsubishi Heavy Industries H-IIA F29 rocket launched from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency launch pad on the island of Tanegashima on 24 November 2015 carrying a broadcast and telecommunications satellite.
Developed together with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, the GS Yuasa lithium-ion batteries are used to power electronic devices on-board the rocket, which is an improved version of earlier models.
With an improved engine to provide better flight performance, the two stage rocket is capable of a longer space coast flight allowing it to place satellites closer to a geostationary orbit. This allows the satellite to save fuel, providing a longer operating life.
In order to address the increased power requirement for longer coasting flight, the GS Yuasa batteries have double the capacity of existing lithium-ion cells.
Lithium-ion battery module for H-IIA F29 upgrade.
GS Yuasa develops, manufactures and distributes batteries and power sources for special applications and has been supplying high performance batteries for extreme environments for many years. From deep sea submarines 6,500 meters below the ocean surface to satellites 36,000 kilometres in space, GS Yuasa batteries provide quality, performance and reliability.
Lithium-ion battery module for H-IIA F29 upgrade.
Going forward, the GS Yuasa Group will continue to contribute to space development projects through the development and manufacturing of high performance lithium-ion batteries.
Specifications of the lithium-ion batteries used on the H-11A F29 rocket
Composition: LFC 80 x 8 cells
Nominal Voltage (V) : 28
Capacity (Ah) : 80
Dimensions (W x D x H) : 400 x 300 x 210 (mm)
Mass (Kg) : 23
Photographs of the H-II F29 Rocket courtesy of Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.
