Tiger Power: An Electrical Power System for Princeton’s First CubeSat

Abstract

This report documents efforts to design a functioning ground model of an electrical power system (EPS) used on Princeton’s first CubeSat mission: TigerSat. TigerSat’s payload will be a novel plasma thruster with a power requirement of around 200 W,presenting a unique challenge for the design of a 3U CubeSat, which typically uses around 15-40 W.Because of the multi-year development schedule for CubeSats and the stringent requirements imposed by NASA’s CubeSat Launch Initiative Program (CSLI), as wellas the dearth of institutional knowledge of spacecraft design, particularly CubeSat design, this EPS serves as an educational ground model. The off-the-shelf (OTS) components are not space-rated, but careful electrical design does ensure that components and wiring harnesses are properly rated for the appropriate electrical characteristics.The large format of this model allows future team members to easily substitute individual components and reconfigure the power system, as well as test new components designed and manufactured on-campus.