Testing and Evaluation of Lithium-Ion Batteries for LEO Space Missions

In 1990, Sony Corporation announced their intention to manufacture a rechargeable lithium ion battery, based on the highly reversible intercalation of lithium ions into the carbonaceous anode and metal oxide cathode. The cells were first introduced for portable telephone use in June, 1991. Since that time, other Japanese companies have indicated their plans to manufacture lithium-ion batteries. A copy of Sony's initial specifications are attached to this report in Appendix A, and are summarized below.