Advanced nickel-metal hydride cell development at Hughes: a joint work with US government

Hughes is currently engaged in the development of an advanced nickel-metal hydride (Ni/MHx) cell for spacecraft application with performance goals of 15 years of operation in a geosynchronous Earth orbit at 80% depth of discharge and over 30,000 cycles of life at 30% depth of discharge in a typical low Earth orbit. The authors have developed a basic fabrication technique for a lightweight and potentially long life nickel electrode which is useable in space Ni/MHx cells. They have developed several attractive hydride alloys which are useable in hydride electrodes and basic fabrication techniques for lightweight, inexpensive, and potentially long life hydride electrodes for a Ni/MHx cell. Utilizing Hughes extensive experiences in the development of advanced Ni/Cd and Ni/H₂ cells, they plan to develop a first generation space Ni/MHx cell design by 1995 and have the cell flight ready by 1997