Artist rendition of the Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) 2. Photo: Orbital ATK.

Orbital ATK has selected EaglePicher Technologies to design and manufacture a battery with specifications to use lithium-ion cells manufactured by GS Yuasa Technology (GYT) to power the Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) 2 spacecraft. GYT will work with EaglePicher to incorporate GYT’s Gen III LSE134 lithium-ion cells into the battery system. The JPSS-2 battery is a 7.9 kWh, 29.6V system that integrates EaglePicher’s GEOStar 3 and ICESat 2 lithium ion battery.

JPSS is a partnership between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). In March 2016 NASA awarded Orbital ATK a contract to build up to three Joint Polar Satellite Systems (JPSS) spacecraft. Satellites in the JPSS polar-orbiting constellation gather global measurements of atmospheric, terrestrial and oceanic conditions. JPSS delivers key information and images used for forecasting severe weather such as hurricanes, tornadoes and blizzards and assessing environmental hazards such as droughts, forest fires, and air quality. The information obtained from satellites in the JPSS constellation will help increase the timeliness and accuracy of forecasts and reduce the potential for property damage and loss of human life.