ESASpace Engineering
   
What we do
Directorate of Technical and Quality Management (TEC)
Electrical
Electrical engineeringControl SystemsData SystemsRadio Frequency Payload SystemsElectromagnetics and Space Environment
Power and Energy Conversion
Mechanical
Mechanical engineeringThermal ControlStructures and MechanismsMechatronics and Optics, incl. robotics and life supportPropulsion and Aerothermodynamics
Systems
Systems and software engineeringSoftware SystemsSystems Engineering, incl. cost engineeringTechnology programmes
Product Assurance
Product AssuranceFlight SafetyDependabilityQuality Management and AssuranceMaterials and ProcessesElectronic ComponentsSoftware Product Assurance
Standards
Requirements and standardsEuropean Cooperation for Space Standardization (ECSS)European Space Components Coordination (ESCC)
Services
ESA calendar of eventsSubscribe
 
 
 
Bookmark and Share
 
 
 
 
 
printer friendly page
Power and Energy Conversion
 
Preparing to test a standard triple junction solar cell
Preparing to test a standard triple junction solar cell
 
Like all other machines, a satellite needs a source of energy in order to function. As it launches away from Earth it will be running off an onboard battery – one last resource from its home planet – but to operate continuously for years on end more long-lived power sources are required.
 
 
What is the Power and Energy Conversion domain?

Power and Energy Conversion takes in all aspects of power generation, storage, conditioning and distribution for space applications. This includes optimising solar array and energy storage designs for particular missions venturing into various orbits, deep space or very close to the Sun.
 
 
Last update: 22 April 2010

 


More information
Why is Power and Energy Conversion important?What innovations does Power and Energy Conversion involve?What applications and missions does Power and Energy Conversion enable?
Laboratories
Power Systems laboratorySolar Generator LaboratoryEuropean Space Battery Test Centre Laboratory
Related articles
9th European Space Power Conference (ESPC)Batteries at the heart of ESA space missionsHow satellites live off sunlight
 
 
 
   Copyright 2000 - 2011 © European Space Agency. All rights reserved.