Egress lighting for the International Space Station

This paper outlines the performance of super nickel cadmium (NiCd) batteries at temperature extremes. The batteries are manufactured by Eagle-Picher Technologies, LLC, Colorado Springs, Colorado, (USA). The tests performed were conducted at temperatures that ranged from -20/spl deg/C to +50/spl deg/C and were designed to evaluate the performance of nickel-cadmium batteries for the International Space Station. These tests were essential in determining the electronics package necessary to properly maintain and service these units for the Egress Lighting Power System (ELPS). The ELPS units will be used to provide emergency egress lighting in the NASA International Space Station. Eagle-Picher Technologies, LLC, Colorado Springs, Colorado, (USA) and BF Goodrich Aerospace, Albuquerque, New Mexico, (USA) teamed over the past several months to meet the performance characteristics outlined. This paper focuses on the test matrix and performance for these battery cells.