Electrical power subsystem integration and test for the NPS solar cell array tester CubeSat

Abstract

The electrical power subsystem is one of the most important elements of any satellite. This system must provide the necessary power to enable the payload and other subsystems to perform their functions. Once spacecraft requirements are determined and an electrical power subsystem is chosen; extensive testing is required to ensure power subsystem performance. Testing of CubeSat Kit compatible power systems is especially difficult due to the inaccessibility of test points. This thesis concerns itself with the role that power and, in particular, power budgets play in very small satellites. As a practical application to facilitate power budget analysis of CubeSat Kit compatible CubeSats, a testing platform has been designed and built. Data from NPS-SCAT electrical power subsystem and other subsystems have been measured and the NPS-SCAT power budget analyzed and simulated.