MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATIONPUBLIC RELATIONS DIVISION

7-3, Marunouchi 2-chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 100-8310 JapanFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

No. 3692

Customer Inquiries

Media Inquiries

Space Systems Division
Defense & Space Systems Group
Mitsubishi Electric Corporation

Public Relations Division

www.MitsubishiElectric.com/bu/space/

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
prd.gnews@nk.MitsubishiElectric.co.jp
www.MitsubishiElectric.com/news/

Mitsubishi Electric Wins Contract to Supply Space-use Lithium-ion
Batteries for “Gateway” Lunar Orbital Platform
Contributing to Artemis Program by leveraging experience in developing spacecraft including HTV-X

Rendition of Gateway and “HTV-X” Transfer Vehicle (courtesy JAXA)TOKYO, May 9, 2024 – Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (TOKYO: 6503) announced today that it has been
awarded a contract by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to supply space-use lithium-ion
batteries for the Gateway, a lunar orbiting space station.
Under the “Joint Exploration Declaration of Intent for Lunar Cooperation (JEDI)” signed on July 10, 2020 by
the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology of Japan and the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration of the United States of America, Japan has agreed to provide batteries for theGateway space station in the Artemis Program for lunar exploration of the United States.

1/4

Mitsubishi Electric, which manufactures high-performance space-use lithium-ion batteries that have received
human-rating certification* for supporting the safe transportation of astronauts was selected based on theadvanced technologies that the company deployed in developing and manufacturing the HTV-X, a new
unmanned cargo transfer spacecraft, as well as the company’s track record of supplying batteries for domesticand international commercial satellites and the proven reliability of such products. This will be the third timefor Mitsubishi Electric to provide space-use lithium-ion batteries for the Artemis Program, including theHabitation and Logistics Outpost (HALO) and the International Habitation Module (I-Hab).
Apart from the Artemis Program in Japan, Mitsubishi Electric has also supplied lithium-ion battery cells to
Maxar Space Systems in the United States for use in the Gateway's Power and Propulsion Element (PPE).
Mitsubishi Electric looks forward to further contributing to the Artemis Program by leveraging its establishedtechnologies for manufacturing power-supply equipment for use in space.
Product Features1)

Structured and designed for launch environment and unexpected failures, ensuring required
tolerability and functionality for space- The batteries’ mechanical and thermal endurance are ensured with a shell-frame structure** suited toextreme environments, such as rocket-launch vibration, the shock of the spacecraft separating from therocket, the vacuum and radiation of outer space, and heat exhaustion. Individually mounted high-capacity,
high-energy-density cells with a long, elliptical and cylindrical shape ensures mechanical robustness andthermal resistance, and also helps to homogenize the internal temperatures.
- The design has received human-rating certification for contributing to the safety of the spacecraft crew,
including safety-response measures in the event of on-board component failures.

2)

Structural modularity ensures scalability- Optimized the lineup to ensure sufficient numbers and types of lithium-ion battery cells in a configuration
tailored to meet the on-board power and capacity requirements.
- Modularity ensures scalability by allowing the number of chassis connectors anchoring shell-frame to beincreased as needed to accommodate additional battery cells.

3)Highly reliable technologies enable long-term satellite operation- Mitsubishi Electric’s proprietary bypass switch maintains battery performance even in the event of an
open-circuit failure by securing charging and discharging paths.
- Since 2005, more than 300 lithium-ion batteries supplied by the company have operated continuously
and reliably in overseas commercial satellites, reflecting the company’s proven expertise in
manufacturing lithium-ion batteries for use in space.

*

Certification applied specifically to spacecraft to be used for manned space activities in order to ensure the safety ofastronauts** Structure in which lithium-ion batteries cells are separated by a chassis and mounted individually to make them moreresistant to vibration, shock and heat

2/4

Main Specifications
Size
WeightMajor Components
Design Life

W623mm × D245mm × H359mm
61.4kg- 190Ah lithium-ion battery cells- Bypass switch
More than 15 years

Lithium-ion batteries for the Gateway

Mitsubishi Electric’s Space Business
Mitsubishi Electric, a leader in Japan’s space development, has participated as a prime contractor in nearly
half of JAXA’s satellite-development projects, including as the developer of the Smart Lander for Investigating
Moon (SLIM), which successfully landed on the lunar surface on January 20, 2024. The company’sachievements in the current project are expected to contribute to further advances in lunar and planetary
exploration. Going forward, Mitsubishi Electric will continue to pursue advanced technologies and contributeto sustainable space exploration and human expansion into space, including through Japan’s participation in
the Artemis Program, an international space-exploration initiative.
Patents
Acquired one patent in Japan in regard to technologies announced in this news release.
###3/4

About Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
With more than 100 years of experience in providing reliable, high-quality products, Mitsubishi ElectricCorporation (TOKYO: 6503) is a recognized world leader in the manufacture, marketing and sales of electricaland electronic equipment used in information processing and communications, space development and satellite
communications, consumer electronics, industrial technology, energy, transportation and building equipment.
Mitsubishi Electric enriches society with technology in the spirit of its “Changes for the Better.” The company
recorded a revenue of 5,257.9 billion yen (U.S.$ 34.8 billion*) in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024. For
more information, please visit www.MitsubishiElectric.com*U.S. dollar amounts are translated from yen at the rate of ¥151=U.S.$1, the approximate rate on the Tokyo
Foreign Exchange Market on March 31, 2024

4/4