PAGE CONTENTS
Objectives
The goal of the project is to design, develop and qualify a Power Conditioning and Distribution Unit (PCDU) dedicated to the telecom market based on a constellation of satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). One Electrical Model (EM), one Electrical Qualification Model and on test equipment (EGSE) will be manufactured in the frame of the contract.
The target industrial project is the GlobalStar second constellation of satellites.
Challenges
- To improve MPPT boost converters topologies,
- To validate new way to perform module coating,
- To validate simplified battery management and failure recovery concepts.
Plan
Due to the discrepancy between the execution of the present contract and the real GlobalStar2 industrial advancement, a waiver with regard to the standard flow has been accepted. PDR and CDR have been performed after the end of the manufacturing of the EM, EQM and EGSE.
During the PDR, the design and the resulting analysis have been reviewed and some breadboard test results have been reviewed. During CDR, the design and analyses updated at the end of the development phase (which has led to the release of the manufacturing) and DM and EM electrical test results have been reviewed. During FR, EQM electrical test results have been reviewed.
Current Status
The project is now in the end phase. PDR, CDR and FR have been held successfully and the corresponding data packages have been delivered. EM, EQM and EGSE have been manufactured and the test results have been reviewed.
In the frame of this ARTES-4 contract, ESA was involved in the technical assessment of the design, development and qualification of a Power Conditioning and Distribution Unit for commercial telecommunication satellite missions.
During this contract TAS-ETCA has presented a design using a wire link fuse in a hybrid. This design has been carefully reviewed by ESA and found not meet the requirements of the PA & Safety Department.
Moreover several design features concerning the electrical architecture have also been highlighted by the Agency who expressed the risks associated to the proposed design and the non compliances to the Electric and Electronic ECSS standard.
Thales Alenia Space France (first customer of the developed product) has noted the risks identified during the reviews and has indicated that the product design satisfies the need and requirements for commercial telecommunication satellite missions that are targeted with this product.
ESA considered that the design and qualification of the PCDU are consequently under the sole responsibility of Thales Alenia Space France.