Technologies for spacecraft electric power systems

Abstract

There is a growing push within the federal government and many private sector space organizations to build and launch spacecraft that are smaller, that can be built and deployed quicker, and that cost less. Even in the classic large communications satellites there is a push to reduce the utility mass so that more transponders can be added or the launch mass reduced, or some combination of both. Furthermore, there is pressure to spin off technologies into the commercial sector as well as to spin in technologies to the space program. The classic electrical power system consists of the power source, energy storage, and power management and distribution (PMAD). This article addresses these electrical power technologies, including high-performance photovoltaic devices, solar dynamic systems, batteries, and PMAD architectures, showing that in each case new technologies are available that can reduce the overall mass of the electrical power system by at least 50%.