[SatNews] United Launch Alliance (ULA) recently awarded Saft, a world-leading designer and manufacturer of high-tech batteries, a multi-million dollar contract to develop lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries for its Atlas V and Delta IV launch vehicles.

These are some of the first Li-ion batteries ULA has incorporated into its launch vehicles and will replace batteries currently in use. Saft will supply two different Li-ion batteries to ULA, both customized to meet their launch vehicles’ high electrical power load requirements with minimal weight. The Flight Termination System (FTS) batteries will be made of Saft’s VLV high power Li-ion technology. The FTS battery provides power for flight termination, if needed. The second type of batteries will be used as booster and pyro power, allowing flexibility for use in the launch vehicle and uses Saft’s VLP power Li-ion technology.