A Hybrid Electrical Power Subsystem for CubeSats: Design and Experimental Validation

This work presents a compact and modular Electrical Power Subsystem (EPS) tailored for CubeSats operating in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). The design integrates off-the-shelf components, including a microcontroller-based battery management system, analog solar panel regulators, and a digitally reconfigurable step-up converter. These components manage the charging and discharging of lithium-ion batteries, optimize solar energy harvesting, and deliver multiple regulated voltage outputs to mission-critical subsystems. Experimental validation demonstrates reliable power regulation, efficient battery management, and robust solar panel integration, confirming the system’s effectiveness under varying load and input conditions. The architecture’s hybrid nature, combining analog and digital control, provides a flexible and scalable solution for small satellite missions with strict resource constraints and evolving power demands.