Satellites - Power Source: Battery

In a battery, electricity is produced by the transfer of electrons from one strip of metal to another
This is made possible by the fact that both metals are submerged in a solution that conducts electricity (an electrolyte)
Electrons are carried over from one strip to another by particles in the solution, the electrolyte
Some batteries are rechargeable, but recharging them would require some other source of power in orbit
Batteries can work together with solar panels; the solar cells can recharge the batteries when in sunlight
Batteries will run down eventually by using up all their power; they are non-renewable
Batteries are extremely heavy, so they are often used in conjunction with a lighter source of power such as solar panels
They are not very efficient nor very durable, but they are inexpensive

Produced by Galactics.
Comments: galactics@spacesim.org.
Last updated on: 8 August 1997.