Intermediate Design and Analysis of the PANSAT Electrical Power Subsystem

Abstract

This thesis examined three primary components of the electrical power subsystem (EPS) for the Petite Amateur Navy Satellite (PANSAT): (1) the solar array; (2) the power conditioning and control subsystem (PCCS); and (3) the batteries. The emphasis of this thesis was to analyze the output performance of the solar array. Additionally, the derivation of the hybrid PCCS proposed for the EPS was examined and the use of Nickel-Cadmium batteries as a candidate for the secondary power source was discussed. The investigation of the solar array's output performance led to PANSAM (PANSAT Solar Array Model), a computer model which simulates the power output of the solar array. The user can specify the sun's declination, the orbit's inclination, and the satellite's orientation and rate of rotation about each of its three axes. Once a simulation is complete, PANSAM provides the effective surface area illuminated by the sun, and the output current and power. The average effective area determined by PANSAM was 17.6% less than the 1259/sq cm originally proposed by the PANSAT staff. This contributed to a substantial reduction in predicted power. A preliminary transient thermal analysis of PANSAT was also conducted to provide temperature data for PANSAM. PANSAT, Electrical power system, Solar array output performance analysis, Power conditioning and control subsystem

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 1994
Accession Number
ADA283610

Entities

People

  • Gregory F. Hand

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Artificial Satellites
  • Bipolar Junction Transistors
  • Computers
  • Electric Power
  • Energy
  • Energy Storage
  • Energy Transfer
  • Engineering
  • Jet Propulsion
  • Power Conditioning
  • Power Electronics
  • Solar Cells
  • Solar Panels
  • Space Systems
  • Spacecraft
  • Spacecraft Components
  • Storage Batteries

Readers

  • Computational Modeling and Simulation
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Tactical Satellite Communications Systems Engineering.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Satellites