Yardney Batteries Power New Mars Missions

Yardney Technical Products, Inc., based in Pawcatuck, Connecticut, is the supplier of high-tech batteries for two Mars-bound NASA spacecraft. The Phoenix Mars Lander, launched on August 4, and the Mars Science Laboratory mission, planned for launch in 2009, will be powered by Li-ion batteries from Yardney.

The Phoenix batteries will provide power at night when there is no sunlight for the solar panels to convert electricity. They can also be used any time a task requires more power than the primary power source can deliver.

“We are very pleased that our work for the Mars Lander and Mars Exploration Rover programs has been so successful, and that NASA has recognized our contributions by selecting us as the battery supplier for the next two Mars missions,” said Vincent A. Yevoli, Jr, president and chief operating officer. “It means good jobs in southeastern Connecticut and southern Rhode Island.”