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Preliminary design of the PANSAT electrical-power subsystem. Master's thesis

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5360779

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 2 {times} 4 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.

Research Organization:
Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA (United States)
OSTI ID:
5360779
Report Number(s):
AD-A-236911/4/XAB
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English