BATTERIES developed by a firm at the Culham Science Centre are orbiting the Earth in a spacecraft engaged in ground-breaking research.
The batteries, made by ABSL Space Products, are in a satellite known as GOCE (Gravity field and steady-state Ocean Circulation Explorer), which is orbiting the Earth for two years, measuring its gravitation and the thickness and movement of polar ice sheets.
It helps scientists build computer models to predict the impact of climate change.
The batteries need to be extremely reliable and as light as possible, but must have enough capacity to last many years in orbit.
ABSL sales and marketing manager Roger Dewell said: “Our analysis tools calculate whether our design will be strong enough.
“We don't want to find any problem when we are testing the finished article.”
As well as batteries, the company also provides instrument parts for satellites to monitor climate change, map weather patterns and study the surface of other planets.
Mr Dewell added that, thanks to customers such as the European Space Agency and Nasa, the business was well insulated from the effects of the recession.
The firm’s workforce at Culham has grown from 45 to about 65 over the past few years.
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