List of investigators

Next Generation EP PPUs

Brian Gilchrist, UMSteve Battel, Battel Engineering (consultant)Alec Gallimore, UMKen Arnett, UM-Space Physics Research LabOthers - TBD

Abstract – Power processing units (PPUs) represent a major cost element of spacecraft electric propulsion (EP) systems. Space vehicles tend to have unique power bus characteristics that cause the tailoring of PPU designs to maximize system performance. A more versatile PPU design architecture would allow greater spacecraft-to-spacecraft portability and provide a significant advantage in system development time, robustness, and cost. The University of Michigan and Battel Engineering, Inc. are proposing to collaborate with our industrial partners to develop new and novel PPU design topologies that capture the desired attributes noted above.Besides exploring advanced architectures, our proposed activity also represents an excellent opportunity to attract top-notch graduate students and undergraduates to the aerospace power electronics profession.

Next Generation EP PPUs

• PPU architecture is highly customized and often specific for each mission and spacecraft (e.g. costly) – Can a more modular approach

be explored?– Can new architectures be

explored via the I-UCRC?• Attracting students to power

electronic systems is always a challenge– Can the I-UCRC help?

Background and Motivation

2-kW Space System Power Control UnitCourtesy Aerojet (For Public Release)

Michigan and Michigan Tech have a strong history of student space activities

SPRL Engineering Heritage

• Supported AOSS/SPRL PIs in the development of space research instruments since 1946

• Over 100 rocket, aircraft & balloon experiments developed to-date

• Over 35 major space instruments developed to-date

• Engineering & technical services provided to UM and industry

TIDI Flight Hardware for TIMED Mission

Home of SPRL Today

Early “Double Probes” flown on V2s

Next Generation EP PPUs

Edmonson01//2008 AOSS/SPRL Engineering Introduction

Edmonson01//2008 AOSS/SPRL Engineering Introduction

SPRL Major Engineering Facilities• 63,000 sq. ft. Physical Plant• Large Class 10,000 High-Bay

Integration Clean Room• Large High-Bay Integration and Test

Laboratory• Electronics Fabrication Clean Room• Multiple Project Development

Areas• EMI/EMC Test Screen Room• Instrument Machine Shop with

CNC Capabilities• Thermal and Thermal-Vacuum Test

Chambers • Optical Test Laboratories

Next Generation EP PPUs

• Steven Battel – – President, Battel Engineering – Providing engineering, development and

review services to NASA, DOD, University, and Industrial clients

– 31 years experience– Over 200 electronic systems flown in space

• Areas of specialization – program management, systems engineering – power systems, high voltage systems– precision electronics design, scientific

instrument design, spacecraft avionics,

Battel Engineering

SAM Power Supply & HV Modules*

500-W HV Power Supply Breadboard

*SAM Units fabricated at UM-SPRL

Next Generation EP PPUs

Phoenix/TEGA Electronics Development (Thermal Emission Gas Analyzer)

Analog and high-voltage electronics designed and manufactured by SPRL in partnership with Battel EngineeringFlight electronics delivered for integration & test – 11/2005

NASA/Phoenix/Scout Mars Lander2007 launch, 2008 landing, Success!!

Edmonson01//2008 AOSS/SPRL Engineering Introduction

• Explore and prototype new PPU architectures – Promotes multiple mission/vehicle capabilities– Maintains high end-to-end efficiency

• Engage graduate and undergraduate students in research– Attract students to power electronic systems

Objective of Research

Next Generation EP PPUs

• Form Working Group collaboration of UM/SPRL (prime), Battel Engineering (consulting) (possibly additional institutions) with industry partners– Focus on new PPU architectures/prototypes

• Recruit students from Michigan, Michigan Tech, and elsewhere– Support power system hands-on space system student

projects through mentoring and training– Guide most capable students to primary research– Capitalize on student-faculty space flight opportunities

(CUBESATS & S3FL)

Technical Approach

Next Generation EP PPUs

• Credible new prototype PPU architectures defined

• Students engaged at graduate and undergraduate level– Students attracted to power electronic

profession

Anticipated Results

Next Generation EP PPUs