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Batteries

Our Short-term Emergency Backup Power Source / Emergency High Energy Source

Sodium-sulfur batteries are an ideal choice for the harsh environment on Venus, a schematic is shown in the left hand side of Figure 1 from [1].

Sodium-sulfur batteries: Internal/External Views

This technology was initially developed as a rechargeable battery system for electric vehicles and are known to operate at very high temperatures. Batteries for terrestrial applications are available at specific energy of 220 W*h/kg and a specific energy of over 300 W*h/kg is predicted for space batteries. [2]

A sodium-sulfur battery, as seen in the right hand side of Figure 1 from [1], was tested in space in November of 1997, which supports the fact that it can operate in extreme conditions. Further, a sodium-sulfur battery was tested at 460ºC and 92 bar pressure to illustrate that the technology can operate at ambient conditions on the Venusian surface [2].

[1] G. A. Landis and K. C. Mellott, "Venus Surface Power and Cooling Systems," Acta Astronautica, vol. 61, pp. 995-1001, 2007.

[2] G. A. Landis and R. Harrison, "Batteries for Venus Surface Operation," Journal of Propulsion and Power, vol. 26, p. 6, July-August 2010 2010.