Energy Balance and Power Performance Analysis for Satellite in Low Earth Orbit

The electrical power system (EPS) of Korean satellites in low-earth-orbit is designed to achieve energy balance based on a one-orbit mission scenario. This means that the battery has to be fully charged at the end of a one-orbit mission. To provide the maximum solar array (SA) power generation, the peak power tracking (PPT) method has been developed for a spacecraft power system. The PPT is operated by a software algorithm, which tracks the peak power of the SA and ensures the battery is fully charged in one orbit. The EPS should be designed to avoid the stress of electronics in order to handle the main bus power from the SA power. This paper summarizes the results of energy balance to achieve optimal power sizing and the actual trend analysis of EPS performance in orbit. It describes the results of required power for the satellite operation in the worst power conditions at the end-of-life, the methods and input data used in the energy balance, and the case study of energy balance analyses for the normal operation in orbit. Both 10:35 AM and 10:50 AM crossing times are considered, so the power performance in each case is analyzed with the satellite roll maneuver according to the payload operation concept. In addition, the data transmission to the Korea Ground Station during eclipse is investigated at the local-time-ascending-node of 11:00 AM to assess the greatest battery depth-of-discharge in normal operation.