Although Li-Ion batteries typically have shorter lifetimes than Ni-H2 batteries as they cannot sustain as many charge/discharge cycles before suffering notable degradation, the ISS Li-Ion batteries have been designed for 60,000 cycles and ten years of lifetime, much longer than the original Ni-H2 batteries’ design life span of 6.5 years.
ISS doesn’t have a two week long Lunar Night where solar panels dont work
The eternal light idea is fascinating but even in the best case scenarios, you’d need batteries to supply all power for two full days. In the more prudent case since lives depend on it, you’d need significantly more to cover any outages
Meanwhile, 2-3 nuclear reactors strung out on different sides and with redundant connections, and you’re good for 20 years and many types of outages
They do it on the ISS though?
Although Li-Ion batteries typically have shorter lifetimes than Ni-H2 batteries as they cannot sustain as many charge/discharge cycles before suffering notable degradation, the ISS Li-Ion batteries have been designed for 60,000 cycles and ten years of lifetime, much longer than the original Ni-H2 batteries’ design life span of 6.5 years.
Electrical system of the international space station, batteries
Also related:
Peak of eternal light, Lunar North Pole
ISS doesn’t have a two week long Lunar Night where solar panels dont work
The eternal light idea is fascinating but even in the best case scenarios, you’d need batteries to supply all power for two full days. In the more prudent case since lives depend on it, you’d need significantly more to cover any outages
Meanwhile, 2-3 nuclear reactors strung out on different sides and with redundant connections, and you’re good for 20 years and many types of outages