Preliminary Design of the PANSAT Electrical Power Subsystem

Abstract

This thesis presents a preliminary design of the electrical power system (EPS) for the Naval Postgraduate School's Petite Amateur Navy Satellite (PANSAT). The EPS is a photovoltaic silicon cell system consisting of solar array, batteries, battery charge regulator (BCR), and dc-dc convertors. The EPS provides power for up to two years of low earth orbit (480 km) operations. The solar array consists of 17 panels with thirty-two 2x4 cm solar cells in series on each panel. The cells have an efficiency of 14.3% and generate a panel voltage of 14.1 volts at beginning of life, providing an unregulated bus voltage of 13.5 volts. The bus voltage is clamped at a minimum 10.5 volts by two lead acid batteries in parallel with the bus. Each battery consists of five 2.1 volt, 5 ampere-hour lead acid cells and is capable of meeting mission requirements. The BCR monitors individual battery voltage, an indication of reserve capacity, and provides a pulse-modulated charge current alternately to each battery.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 1990
Accession Number
ADA236911

Entities

People

  • Michael L. Noble

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Artificial Satellites
  • Earth Orbits
  • Energy
  • Jet Propulsion
  • Low Earth Orbits
  • Orbits
  • Satellite Buses
  • Semiconductors
  • Small Satellites
  • Solar Cells
  • Solar Energy
  • Solar Panels
  • Space Objects
  • Space Systems
  • Spacecraft
  • Spacecraft Orbits
  • Test And Evaluation

Readers

  • Battery Technology and Engineering
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Tactical Satellite Communications Systems Engineering.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster
  • Space - Satellites