Controlled Cycling of Lithium-Ion Cells Under LEO and DoD Profiles

The contract requires the execution of a two-phase cycling protocol on 38 lithium-ion 18650 cells to evaluate long-term performance under controlled conditions. In Phase 1, all cells undergo 600 cycles at a 62% depth of discharge with a C/6 charge/discharge rate, followed by Phase 2 where the cells are subjected to a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) profile for up to 4,320 additional cycles. Throughout the entire testing sequence, DC internal resistance pulses are periodically monitored to track degradation trends, and environmental conditions are tightly regulated to ensure test consistency and repeatability. The work is to be performed in Houston, Texas, with all testing conducted under strict operational parameters to simulate the thermal and electrical stresses experienced in space applications. This subcontract, issued by the NASA Shared Services Center under the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, is aimed at gathering critical data on cell longevity and reliability for potential use in future aerospace missions. Responses are due by May 1, 2026, and the NAICS code 335999 indicates classification under Other Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing. The testing environment must maintain precise control over temperature and humidity to replicate space-relevant conditions, and all data collected must support performance validation under extended usage cycles. The successful performance of this contract will contribute to the development of robust energy storage systems for NASA’s deep space and orbital platforms.