Saft Receives Multi-Million Dollar Li-ion Battery Order from Boeing

Cockeysville, MD— Saft is preparing to fill its next order for lithium-ion (Li-ion) space batteries as part of a five-year Long Term Agreement signed with Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems in 2009.

Under the multi-million dollar contract, Saft will deliver 12 battery packs of high-energy Li-ion batteries for Boeing’s 702HP satellites being built for the Inmarsat-5 series.

The Saft batteries have VES140S cells and will power three new Ka-band satellites, adding to Inmarsat’s current fleet of 11 GEO satellites.

These satellites provide a wide range of voice and data services through an established global network of distributors and service providers.


Each Inmarsat-5 satellite will carry 89 Ka-band beams that will operate in geosynchronous orbit with flexible global coverage.

Saft’s batteries will offer 15 kW of onboard power for the satellites’ critical systems in a low-weight package.

With up to 18 years of battery life, the rechargeable Li-ion batteries will ensure continuous, reliable operation of the satellites at times when the satellite and its solar panels are in eclipse.

“This additional order to the Boeing-Saft Long Term Agreement extends our heritage in space and further increases the 50+ satellites which have relied on Saft’s proven Li-ion technology,” says Thomas Alcide, general manager of Saft’s Specialty Battery Group and president, Saft America, Inc.

“We are pleased that Boeing once again trusted Saft’s expertise for the Inmarsat-5 program and we are confident our batteries will contribute to the mission’s success.”