Space and Satellite Technology
Electrical Power Subsystem (EPS)
Every satellite — from a 1U CubeSat to a large GEO spacecraft — typically consists of six key subsystems:
Power Generation
- Solar panels (monocrystalline / GaAs type)
- Solar array regulators (MPPT controllers)
- Deployable solar panels & hinges
Power Storage
- Li-ion / Li-Po battery packs (space-rated cells)
- Battery management system (BMS)
- Thermal protection & housing
Power Distribution
- DC–DC converters (isolated & non-isolated)
- Voltage regulators (3.3 V, 5 V, 12 V rails)
- Fuses / circuit breakers / relays
- Current & voltage sensors
Communication Subsystem (COMMS)
RF Equipment
- Transmitter & Receiver (VHF / UHF / S-band / X-band)
- Software Defined Radio (SDR) modules
- Antenna deployers (tape-spring or boom type)
- Antennas (monopole, dipole, patch, or helical)
- RF amplifiers (Low Noise Amplifier – LNA / Power Amplifier – PA)
- RF filters, duplexers, and circulators
- Coaxial cables (RG316, SMA connectors)
Ground Station Equipment
- Directional antennas (Yagi / Parabolic)
- Rotator system (Azimuth–Elevation mount)
- Ground SDR receiver / transmitter
- Telemetry & Tracking Software (Gpredict, SatNOGS)
Attitude Determination & Control System (ADCS)
ADCS Sensors
- Sun sensors (analog or digital)
- Magnetometers
- Star trackers
- Gyroscopes / IMUs (MEMS or fiber-optic)
- Horizon sensors (infrared-based)
ADCS Actuators
- Reaction wheels (for fine control)
- Magnetorquers (torque rods / coils)
- Control moment gyros (for high-precision satellites)
- Thrusters (cold gas / ion microthrusters – in advanced systems)
ADCS Processing Unit
- ADCS controller board (microcontroller or FPGA-based)
- Sensor fusion algorithm (Kalman filter, attitude estimation)
Command and Data Handling (OBC – Onboard Computer)
- OBC microcontroller / microprocessor boards (ARM, RISC-V, etc.)
- CubeSat OBCs (ISIS-OBC, GomSpace NanoMind, Clyde Space OBC)
- Data buses: I2C, SPI, UART, CAN
- Memory storage (SD card / MRAM / FRAM – radiation-hardened)
- Watchdog timer & redundancy circuits
- Telecommand / telemetry software stack
- Real-time operating system (FreeRTOS / RTEMS / SpaceWire)
Payload Subsystem
Imaging & Remote Sensing
- High-resolution camera (visible / multispectral / IR)
- Lenses and optical filters
- Gimbals or pointing mechanisms
Scientific Payloads
- Environmental sensors (temperature, radiation, magnetic field)
- Spectrometers, particle detectors, or atmospheric sensors
- Radio beacons or ADS-B receivers
Technology Demonstration Payloads
- AI-on-the-edge computing module (e.g., Jetson Nano, Raspberry Pi Compute Module)
- Data compression and image processing units
- Inter-satellite communication payload
Onboard Software & Simulation
Onboard Software & Simulation
- Mission simulation software (AGI STK, GMAT, FreeFlyer)
- Flight software frameworks (NASA Core Flight System, COSMOS)
- Telemetry encoding/decoding software
- MATLAB/Simulink (control algorithm design)
- C/C++ or Python (for mission logic & testing)
Ground Segment (Operations & Control)
Ground Segment (Operations & Control)
- Ground station antenna system (VHF / UHF / S / X band)
- Rotator controller & satellite tracking system
- SDR transceivers (HackRF, LimeSDR, USRP)
- Ground control software (SatNOGS, Mission Planner, Orbitron)
- Networked servers for data reception & command uplink
- Telemetry database & visualization dashboard
Testing & Validation Equipment
Electrical Testing
- Multimeter, oscilloscope, and spectrum analyzer
- Power analyzer for voltage and current monitoring
- Thermal chamber for temperature cycling tests
Mechanical Testing
- Vibration test table for launch vibration simulation
- Shock and drop testing equipment
- Vacuum chamber for thermal–vacuum testing
- Clean room tools for satellite assembly
RF Testing
- Antenna pattern test setup or anechoic chamber
- Network analyzer (VNA) for signal measurement
- RF power meters and directional couplers
Tools & Assembly Accessories
Tools & Assembly Accessories
- ESD-safe workstation and tools
- Soldering station with fine tip
- Wire crimpers, cutters, and heat shrink tubing
- Optical cleaning kits for lenses and sensors
- 3D printer for custom brackets or mockups
- Screwdrivers, torque wrench, and precision tweezers
- Safety gear including gloves, antistatic mats, and grounding straps