NESC tech bulletin

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

www.nasa.gov

Applicability

These resources are applicable to missions 

and applications considering the use of 

Li-Ion batteries in the energy storage 

subsystem.

Background

Li-Ion batteries are an attractive alternative 

to traditional alkaline-based battery systems. 

They offer reduced weight and volume and 

additional rate capability over the nickelcadmium (Ni-Cd), nickel-hydrogen (Ni-H2) 

and silver-zinc (Ag-Zn) battery systems they 

will replace. 

To be considered for aerospace mission 

applications, Li-Ion batteries must 

meet stringent safety and performance 

requirements. These considerations have 

been defined in documents from various 

sources that address safety, use, issues, 

qualification, and testing of aerospace LiIon batteries. To facilitate and ensure the 

safe implementation of this technology, 

important guidelines and recommendations 

were compiled, and then revised and 

enhanced in the NESC-sponsored Li-Ion Battery Guidelines 

Document. 

To date, cells and batteries from several manufacturers have 

been qualified for use in specific aerospace mission applica-

tions. A survey was also conducted (both within and outside 

the United States) on existing Li-Ion battery manufacturers’ 

capabilities to meet future NASA mission needs.

Li-Ion Battery Database

A Microsoft

® Excel®-based database of Li-Ion batteries and 

cells appropriate for aerospace applications was established. 

The database describes the performance of cells and batteries 

along with the reported testing that they have undergone 

(either at the manufacturer or by other government agencies). 

The database includes batteries and cells appropriate for 

multiple NASA mission needs including: Low Earth Orbit (LEO), 

Geostationary Orbit (GEO), and the Constellation Program.

Additionally, the database contains 

commercial-off-the-shelf cells and 

batteries.

Li-Ion Guidelines Document

The Li-Ion Guidelines Document addresses 

the issues and concerns associated with 

the use of Li-Ion chemistries resulting 

from their inherent high-specific energy 

combined with flammable electrolytes.

The guidelines document provides 

background on the technology; basic 

operational information discussing the 

electrochemical reactions that take place 

within the cells; a summary of factors that 

affect battery performance; battery design 

considerations; cell and battery hazards 

and controls; battery requirements; cell and 

battery handling and procedures; typical 

Li-Ion cell and battery test procedures; 

and definitions. A listing of references that 

provide more detail on program-specific 

requirements is also included.

It is recommended that all users 

considering this technology for space applications, especially 

for applications involving humans, consult this document 

for guidance prior to implementation due to the extreme 

importance of appropriate design, test, and hazard control of 

Li-Ion batteries.

References

NASA Aerospace Flight Battery Program Year 1 Report – Part 

1, Volumes 1 and 2, Generic Safety, Handling and Qualification 

Guidelines for Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) Batteries, Li-Ion Batteries, 

Maintaining Technical Communications Related to Aerospace 

Batteries (NASA Aerospace Battery Workshop), NESC 

Document Number RP-08-75.

This work was led by Michelle Manzo, Barbara McKissock, 

NASA Glenn Research Center, and Paul Schmitz, PCS/NASA 

Glenn Research Center.

Data Base and Guidelines Document Developed

for Lithium-Ion Battery

Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) batteries are fast becoming the battery chemistry of choice for aerospace applications 

requiring (rechargeable) power supplies. These batteries offer high-energy density and high-specific 

energy combined with excellent rate capability and cycle potential. The increased energy content and 

operational characteristics of this system require defined safety and handling procedures to ensure the safe 

implementation. Standardized approaches to defining, determining, and addressing safety, handling, and 

qualification for Li-Ion batteries have been developed and published as an NESC-sponsored Li-Ion Battery 

Guidelines Document. A data base was established cataloging cells and batteries that have been considered 

for aerospace applications.

Li-Ion batteries flown on NASA 

Missions: Mars Exploration, Rover, 

and the Lunar Reconnaissance 

Orbiter.

For information contact the NESC at www.nesc.nasa.gov

NESC-TB-09-03

NASA Engineering and Safety Center Technical Bulletin No. 09-03