On the thermo-electric modelling of smallsats

Gómez-San-Juan, Alejandro M. and Cubas Cano, Javier and Pindado Carrion, Santiago (2020). On the thermo-electric modelling of smallsats. In: "50th International Conference on Environmental Systems", 12-16 julio 2020, Lisboa. p. 257.

Description

Title: On the thermo-electric modelling of smallsats
Author/s:
  • Gómez-San-Juan, Alejandro M.
  • Cubas Cano, Javier
  • Pindado Carrion, Santiago
Item Type: Presentation at Congress or Conference (Article)
Event Title: 50th International Conference on Environmental Systems
Event Dates: 12-16 julio 2020
Event Location: Lisboa
Title of Book: 2020 International Conference on Environmental Systems
Date: 2020
Subjects:
Freetext Keywords: Thermal modelling, Electric modelling, Smallsats, Solar panels
Faculty: Instituto de Microgravedad Ignacio Da Riva (UPM)
Department: Mecánica de Fluidos y Propulsión Aeroespacial
UPM's Research Group: Desarrollo y Ensayos Aeroespaciales DEA
Creative Commons Licenses: Recognition - No derivative works - Non commercial

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Abstract

Correct thermal modelling is crucial for smallsats. They can experience higher variations of temperatures and its components usually have a lower range of safe operating temperatures, especially if they are COTS (commercial-off-the-shelf). It must also be taken into account that thermal design of smallsats is, in certain aspects, very different when compared to bigger satellites. One of the main differences is the modelling of solar panels. Large satellites have control systems that guarantee that solar panels always operate at the maximum efficiency voltage. Thanks to this, one hypothesis that can be used in thermal model is that the efficiency of the panels only depends on the temperature. On the other hand, the electrical system of small satellites is usually very simple, often based on Direct Energy Transfer (DET). In these satellites, the operating voltage is not optimal, but mainly depends on the battery voltage. For this reason, previous hypothesis is no longer valid, and it is necessary to consider that efficiency depends on both the temperature and operating voltage. This change is not minor, and not considering it can lead to differences between modelled and real temperatures that greatly exceed safety margins. For correct modelling of DET satellites, one solution is to integrate the solar panel thermal and electrical models, in order to calculate the real efficiency at which it operates. However, this is not simple, since the electrical problem of a solar panel has many unknowns and implicit equations that complicate its resolution. In this work, the authors propose a simple methodology for thermoelectric modelling using only the solar panel parameters provided by the manufacturer. This methodology can be easily integrated into complete thermal models of smallsats using thermal analysis software. Simulation results for a smallsat mission, including differences in temperatures between thermo-electric and traditional modelling are also presented.

Funding Projects

Type
Code
Acronym
Leader
Title
Madrid Regional Government
Y2020/NMT-6427
OAPES-CM
Sanz Andres, Angel (coor.) ; Alonso Muñoz, Alejandro (responsable)
Operación Avanzada de Pequeños Satélites

More information

Item ID: 64136
DC Identifier: https://oa.upm.es/64136/
OAI Identifier: oai:oa.upm.es:64136
Official URL: https://hdl.handle.net/2346/86449
Deposited by: Biblioteca ETSI Aeronauticos
Deposited on: 29 Sep 2020 06:10
Last Modified: 30 Nov 2022 09:00
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