Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has signed a technology transfer agreement with Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd. for the manufacture of space grade lithium ion (Li-ion) cells for the space programme and other national requirements.

BHEL said it would set up a facility at its Bengaluru unit to make the cells. It would use the technology developed by ISRO’s rocketry node, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, based in Thiruvananthapuram.

Li-ion batteries power various applications on satellites and launch vehicles. An ISRO spokesman said the requirement would go up as the number of space missions is increasing.

Currently, BHEL assembles Li-ion batteries using imported cells. "The technology can also be extended for use in the emerging areas of energy storage and e-mobility," the public sector major said.

The agreement was signed by S. Somanath, VSSC Director, and S. Biswas, BHEL's Director (Engg., R&D), at the headquarters of ISRO in Bengaluru last Thursday in the presence of ISRO Chairman K. Sivan and BHEL CMD Atul Sobti.