This two-day course covers the requirements-driven design principles of the spacecraft power subsystem and its major components. Power source section evaluates available and future technologies in power generation, with a focus on photovoltaic technologies. Energy storage section evaluates available and future storage technologies with a focus on battery technologies. Course cites multiple real-life examples to illustrate the relevancy of the presented material. View course sampler
Instructor:
Robert Detwiler has over 40 years of experience in all aspects of Aerospace Power Systems design and development. As a member of the technical staff at the California Institute of Technology, Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) he served in a wide range of space power systems positions. While at JPL he was a key contributor to a number of successful power system efforts including Voyager, Galileo, Mars Global Surveyor, Cassini and the Mars Exploration Rovers. His experience base includes power system hardware development, power technology development, and management responsibilities for JPL, NASA and non-NASA programs. He is retired from California Institute of Technology, JPL. Mr. Detwiler has recently performed consulting efforts on space power systems for a number of classified space vehicles at the Northrop Grumman Corporation in Redondo Beach, CA.
Introduction to Space Power Systems Design. Power System overview with focus on the origin of design-driving requirements, technical disciplines, and sub-system interactions.
Environmental Effects. Definition of the environmental considerations in the design of power systems including radiation, temperature, UV exposure, and insolation.
Orbital Considerations. Basic orbit geometries and calculations for common orbits. Calculation of illumination profiles including effects of spacecraft geometries.
Power Sources: Solar cell technologies and basic physics of operation including electrical characteristics and environmental susceptibility. Solar panel design, fabrication, and test considerations.
Day 2:
Energy Storage: Battery technologies, and flight-readiness of each. Battery selection and sizing characteristics. Battery voltage profiles, charge/discharge characteristics, and charging methods. Special battery handling considerations. Alternative storage technologies include fuel cell technologies, and fly-wheels.
Power System Architectures: System architecture and regulation options including direct energy transfer, peak-power tracking, and hybrid architectures. System level interactions and trade-offs.
Design Example: Sample power system concept design of a LEO mission including selection and sizing of batteries, solar arrays. Focus on real-life trade-offs impacting cost, schedule, and other spacecraft activities and designs.
Tuition:
Tuition for this two-day course is $990 per person at one of our scheduled public courses. Onsite pricing is available. Please call us at 410-956-8805 or send an email to ati@aticourses.com.
