Smallsat Power Conditioning & Distribution Units

AAC Clyde Space’s SmallSat PCDU (Power Conditioning and Distribution Unit) solutions have demonstrated impressive space-based capabilities stretching across a range of applications, gaining a market reputation for reliability, resiliency and performance.

Flown on the Intuitive Machines 2024 Lunar Mission 

“Incorporating AAC Clyde Space’s power system into our IM-1 mission Nova-C class lunar lander is not just a choice; it’s a strategic imperative,” said Intuitive Machines President and CEO Steve Altemus. “The Starbuck power system is an essential component powering Nova-C, and our aspirations to open access to the Moon for the progress of humanity.”

The STARUCK-MINI is one of our flagship products and it has been used on several missions; its quickly becoming a standard in the SmallSat universe. Originally, it was the developed for the InnoSat project, delivered by OHB Sweden and financed by Rymdstyrelsen (the Swedish Space Agency).

STARBUCK-MINI is used on Sweden’s MATS satellite which launched in 2022. MATS is a scientific mission which uses optical measurements techniques to investigate atmospheric waves in the mesosphere to get a better understanding of global wind patterns and temperatures as well as the human impact on the global climate. Find out more

AAC Clyde Space is also supplying the STARBUCK-MINI to OHB Sweden for ESA’s Arctic Weather Satellite (AWS) demonstration mission, a mission which will simultaneously improve weather forecasts in the Arctic region and globally, while enhancing our understanding of climate change.  Find out more

The STARBUCK-MINI is also being used by Astroscale Ltd. for its end-of-life space debris removal service, ELSA-M. Traffic in Low Earth Orbit is increasing exponentially. To respond to the growth and vital services provided by large satellite constellations, the space industry is developing new practices to reduce space debris and clear the orbital highways. Find out more. 

Designed for optimized reliability with performance fail-safes, the state-of-the-art STARBUCK-MINI offers advanced power management with 1500W system power. With the ability to utilise either a Direct Energy Transfer or Maximum Power Point Tracker architectures, these larger EPS units are able to meet most small satellite mission demands.

AAC Clyde Space’s small satellite PCDU (Power Conditioning and Distribution Unit) solutions have demonstrated impressive space-based capabilities stretching across a range of applications, gaining a market reputation for reliability, resiliency and performance. STARBUCK-MINI provides high power 28 V outputs and redundancy for power distribution as well as redundant command and control interfaces via CAN or RS422. Its innovative design combines COTS and radiation hardened components to optimize the reliability and performance characteristics of the ITAR free system

The STARBUCK-MINI adopts a modular design approach which enables easy customization. The adaptable system utilizes flexible add-ons to meet the required number of power output interfaces for payloads on each specific mission and can be quickly adapted to customer product specifications. Integration of interfaces for deployment mechanisms, magnetic torquers and other equipment can also be accommodated through the addition of custom modules.

Power

With 1500 W system power, 28 V nominal bus and battery voltage with power converters for isolated auxiliary output.
High-power 28V outputs & redundancy for power distribution, as well as FPGA based control & monitoring of all switches & interfaces through redundant CAN or RS422.

Performance

High-performance power solution for small satellite platforms. Modular design approach delivers scalability and easy tailoring of interfaces to mission requirements. With MPPT or S3R battery charge regulation for advanced power management.

Reliability

Reliability and qualification levels suitable for many different mission types. COTS components with verified space performance combined with radiation hardened components. All outputs protected by Latching Current Limiters (LCLs) or Retriggerable LCLs (RLCLs). With support for redundant power supply to consumers.

A PCDU performs a number of different tasks, starting with maximising the power you take from your solar panels, converting it to useful voltages to power electronics and charge and store energy safely in the batteries and finally distribute power to all systems when they need it. This is all done by the STARBUCK-MINI while autonomously protecting everything from unexpected events to accidental damage, in all conditions during the mission lifetime and often beyond for end-of-life operations. If things don’t work you can’t switch it off and on again at the wall!

AAC Clyde Space implement the latest in design techniques to ensure that we deliver a quality product, focussing on advanced manufacturing techniques and a world class supply chain – we didn’t set out to create a Lunar-based product but our innovative approach resulted in something that could add significant value to Intuitive Machines mission.

ESA is now financing a project to improve and standardise the product even further. Find out more