Power subsystem, solar panels, batteries and related electronics
All electrical components on the spacecraft will require power. Because solar panels work particularly well in space generally they provide the primary source of power for satellites while batteries act as secondary power.
Solar Panels
- Silicon: low cost, low efficiency.
- GaAs: expensive, high efficiency, low degradation
Batteries
- Li-ion: highest energy density. Space qualified
- Ni-Cd
| CASE STUDY
2010 University of Southampton.
SUSat uses GaAs solar panels and Li-ion batteries. The power control electronics were designed from skretch. Very cheap Silicon panels were used for thesting the prototype, but the potential use of these cheap panels could be investigated for missions with relatively low power requirement. To find out more visit the SUSat site.
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| OPEN DESIGNS
SUSat Power system, 2010 University of Southampton downloads:
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