On Fri, Mar 13, 2020 at 06:56:55PM -0300, Pedro Converso via AMSAT-BB wrote:
LO-19 (aka LUSAT) after 30 years in space is emitting day and night a strong carrier.
What is amazing that after over 2 millions charge/discharge cycles its vintage NI-CD batteries are still able to receive and hold charge.
It is known that Lithium based batteries usually halve charge capacity after +/- 400 cycles, probably you noticed that on your portable device. https://batteryuniversity.com/_img/content/lithium2.jpg
This is just a comment for future satellite plans if long duration is part of the objective.
Super capacitors are very quickly maturing and are a possiblity in future missions.
https://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/whats_the_role_of_the_supercapac...
Also from 2018 https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/design/will-supercapacitors-supersede...
If a satellite was limited to use only in Sunlight with a small supercap for periods in eclipse to hold config etc. this might be a practical solution now. It's a rapidly changing field.
73, lu7abf, Pedro
73, VA3DB, Diane