Vincent Lempereur
Thales Alenia Space, Rue Chapelle Beaussart 101,
Mont-sur-Marchienne
Belgium
6032
European Space Agency
European Space Agency
Delta Development and qualification of PCU derived from PCU-NG qualified for the Spacebus platform in 2014 to address Export market demand, and in particular to their next generation of SATCOM platform, with a power capability around 20 kW.
Following success of DFH4-PCU (27 FM delivered) unfortunately facing major obsolescence at several levels: components, technologies, manufacturing processes,…without speaking of the competitiveness aspect, it has been decided to develop new generation of PCU in order to stay in position to answer to the Chinese market demand, and in particular to their next generation of SATCOM platform, the DFH5 with a power capability around 20 kW.
Key challenges were to be able to address full Chinese market in term of power (21 kW max whereas old generation PCU is limited below 15 kW) with a reduced mass (-30%) and increased competitiveness.
Max power of 21 kW, mass decrease by 30% and competitiveness increase.
The main features or electrical characteristics of the PCU are
Development based on the design & development of a (partial) EM made of one module of each type, followed by PFM (out of ARTES contract).
PFM delivered to final customer for integration on satellite. Qualification Review successfully held with ESA.
