Microsatellite Power System for Deep Space Exploration

This paper shows the integration of the main subsystems that compose a microsatellite electric power system intended for deep space exploration. For propulsion, this satellite uses water, which is split into hydrogen and oxygen through an electrolysis process, as fuel. These two elements are then combined in a combustion process to provide the required thrust. Once the mission has been defined and the main microsatellite characteristics has been proposed, a power budget is presented, and the different subsystems are sized. Both the solar array regulator and the electrolyser power converter have been developed. Finally, the subsystems have been integrated and different tests have been carried out under different load profiles to validate the proposal.