Systems Analysis of GPS Electrical Power System Redesign

Abstract

A systematic analysis is applied to the electrical power subsystem of the Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) system. Results determined the most appropriate power source and conversion system Options. Photovoltaic solar arrays, the current power system, were not included in the analysis. The best electrical power subsystem options found in the analysis include a solar power source with either a dynamic or direct conversion technique, and a direct conversion nuclear source. The two solar options are designed, at a low level of detail, to provide the same level of power the current GPS photovoltaic solar array system provides. These two designs are then compared with the current system, stressing mass and area. Results show that the solar dynamic design has approximately 28% less mass and approximately 35% less area than the GPS lIR design. The solar direct model has approximately 38% more mass and 72% more area than the GPS design.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1995
Accession Number
ADA309418

Entities

People

  • Kevin J. Walker

Organizations

  • Air Force Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Artificial Satellites
  • Attitude Control Systems
  • Electric Power
  • Energy
  • Energy Storage
  • Energy Transfer
  • Heat Energy
  • Heat Engines
  • Heat Of Fusion
  • Optical Materials
  • Power Converters
  • Solar Cells
  • Solar Energy
  • Solar Panels
  • Spacecraft
  • Storage Batteries
  • Systems Engineering

Readers

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics.
  • Software Engineering
  • Solar Photovoltaics and Thermoelectric Devices.

Technology Areas

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