• 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