Batteries in the Four Corners of the World
Episode 3 – Space: To Infinity and Beyond

1. A little closer to the stars
In space, no one can hear you scream, but Saft batteries have been powering satellites for nearly 60 years. The TotalEnergies subsidiary supplied the batteries for the first European satellite launched in 1966.

2. Mission Lithium-ion
The first space batteries used nickel-cadmium technology. Saft pioneered the qualification of lithium-ion batteries for satellites in the late 1990s. Today, this technology has become the norm.

3. Proven performance
Each battery undergoes extreme testing. This includes life cycle testing, vibration and shock testing, thermal vacuum testing, as well as radiation and magnetism resistance testing. The latter is carried out in specialized external laboratories. In space, temperatures can vary from -150°C to +300°C.

Saft has never had a satellite failure related to a battery, which explains its leading position in this demanding market.

4. The heavier it is, the more expensive it is
The weight of batteries is a major factor in aerospace. Why? Because the cost of launching one kilogram into space can reach up to €60,000. Every kilo saved represents a real financial gain. The switch to lithium-ion has made it possible to reduce the weight of batteries for the same mission by a factor of 2.5.

5. A major player in space batteries
Saft has equipped around 1,500 satellites out of a global total of 14,000 to 15,000, with a historical market share of 40 to 50% for "conventional" satellites. That is, excluding those from Starlink.

6. Alone on Mars, but with Saft
Saft is working on the ExoMars mission (European Mars rover), now scheduled for launch in 2028, with batteries already manufactured and currently being adapted following changes in industrial partners.

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