BRIN Develops Battery Management System To Optimize Satellite Performance And Age

JAKARTA The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) is researching the Battery Management Systems (BMS) to perfect the technology. This technology is important to prolong the age of satellites.

Through this research, BRIN wants to reduce dependence on imports in completing its satellite components. In addition, BMS which is developed reliably can assist BRIN in reducing the cost of its satellite mission.

"Indonesia is expected to reduce dependence on imported technology for satellite missions, especially in terms of power control which is one of the critical components," said BRIN Satellite Technology Research Center Perset Dewi Anggraeni, quoted on Wednesday, July 9.

BMS is a very important technology because batteries will face huge challenges while in space. This battery will face extreme temperatures. If it breaks, there is no chance to fix it.

When the battery doesn't work, satellite observations or operations will also end. Therefore, BMS is important to be developed safely and efficiently. BMS can prevent satellites from being overloaded and overloaded.

This technology can also prevent satellites from experiencing short circuits, regulating when batteries can be filled with solar panels, to how batteries can power the entire satellite system appropriately.

"If BMS fails to work, the battery could be damaged, the satellite would lose power, and the entire mission could fail completely," added Dewi.

The main indicators monitored by BMS include State of Charge (SoC) for power capacity and State of Health (SoH) to assess battery conditions. In addition, BMS also monitors cell voltage, current, temperature, equilibrium status, use cycle, and error status.

For now, BRIN is testing the battery cycle to ensure the accuracy of the State of Charge algorithm and the implementation of its algorithm into the BMS microcontroller. In addition, BRIN is also testing a local-made battery designed for small satellites.

This test involves simulations of conditions in space such as radiation, vacuum, extreme temperature, and vibration. Batteries will be declared feasible if they have an open circuit voltage (OCV), mass, and capacity that suits satellite standards.

"Through collaborative research, BMS technology made in Indonesia can be widely applied, and with this step, Indonesia can be more independent in building and operating satellites in a sustainable manner," explained Dewi.