GS Yuasa Corporation (Tokyo Stock Exchange: 6674; “GS Yuasa”) announced that space use lithium-ion batteries manufactured by group company GS Yuasa Technology Ltd. (“GYT”) were installed in geostationary meteorological satellite “Himawari-9” made by Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (Tokyo Stock Exchange: 6503; “Mitsubishi Electric”) launched on November 2, 2016 from Tanegashima Space Center. After performing tests on trajectory, the satellite is expected to be used for meteorological observations through fiscal year 2029.
GYT has been developing lithium-ion batteries for artificial satellites jointly with Mitsubishi Electric from 1998. GYT’s lithium-ion batteries were used for the first time in a commercial satellite launched in 2005. Since then, the products have been installed in a number of satellites. Recognized for this track record, the batteries were adopted for Himawari-9, following geostationary meteorological satellite “Himawari-8” (launched in 2014), which is still in official operation. At present, GYT’s lithium-ion batteries have been used in more than 110 spacecraft such as artificial satellites and the space station transfer vehicle and are expected to be installed in artificial satellites to be developed in the future.
GYT develops, manufactures and distributes batteries and power sources for special applications and has been supplying high-performance, high-quality batteries for special environments of sea, land and air (from depths of 6,500 meters below the ocean surface to 36,000 kilometers high in space). The company will continue to specialize in batteries and power sources that provide high performance in a harsh environment “from deep sea to space” and take on the challenge of unlimited possibilities.
Specifications of lithium-ion batteries installed in geostationary meteorological satellite “Himawari-9”
| Parts number | LMG050 |
|---|---|
| Nominal voltage (V) | 3.7 |
| Capacity (Ah) | 50 |
| Dimensions (mm)* | W130×D50×H131 |
| Mass (g) | 1,510 |
■1. Himawari-9 (Courtesy: Japan Meteorological Agency)
■2. GYT’s lithium-ion battery LMG050 for Himawari-9 (qualified product by Mitsubishi Electric)
