Mediaspace scheduled maintenance: Aug 25, 2026 07:00 - 12:00 AM. During this time, videos will be temporarily unavailable. Check status updates.

Lecture

Spacecraft Systems

Description

This lecture covers attitude control, electrical power generation, classical and alternative methods, and reliability of space systems, illustrated with the example of the International Space Station solar arrays and a focus on Hayabusa.

In MOOC

Space Mission Design and Operations

Official source

Related concepts (20)

International Space Station

The International Space Station (ISS) is the largest modular space station in low Earth orbit. The project involves five space agencies: the United States' NASA, Russia's Roscosmos, Japan's JAXA, Europe's ESA, and Canada's CSA. The ownership and use of the space station is established by intergovernmental treaties and agreements. The station serves as a microgravity and space environment research laboratory in which scientific research is conducted in astrobiology, astronomy, meteorology, physics, and other fields.

Electrical grid

An electrical grid is an interconnected network for electricity delivery from producers to consumers. Electrical grids vary in size and can cover whole countries or continents. It consists of: power stations: often located near energy and away from heavily populated areas electrical substations to step voltage up or down electric power transmission to carry power long distances electric power distribution to individual customers, where voltage is stepped down again to the required service voltage(s).

Solar panel

A solar panel is a device that converts sunlight into electricity by using photovoltaic (PV) cells. PV cells are made of materials that generate electrons when exposed to light. The electrons flow through a circuit and produce direct current (DC) electricity, which can be used to power various devices or be stored in batteries. Solar panels are also known as solar cell panels, solar electric panels, or PV modules. Solar panels are usually arranged in groups called arrays or systems.

Electricity generation

Electricity generation is the process of generating electric power from sources of primary energy. For utilities in the electric power industry, it is the stage prior to its delivery (transmission, distribution, etc.) to end users or its storage (using, for example, the pumped-storage method). Usable electricity is not freely available in nature, so it must be "produced" (that is, transforming other forms of energy to electricity). Production is carried out in power stations (also called "power plants").

Spacecraft

A spacecraft (: spacecraft) is a vehicle that is designed to fly in outer space and operate there. Spacecraft are used for a variety of purposes, including communications, Earth observation, meteorology, navigation, space colonization, planetary exploration, and transportation of humans and cargo. All spacecraft except single-stage-to-orbit vehicles cannot get into space on their own, and require a launch vehicle (carrier rocket).

Related lectures (32)

Spacecraft Electrical Power Source MOOC: Space Mission Design and Operations

Explores spacecraft electrical power sources, including solar panels, batteries, fuel cells, and radioisotope generators, with examples from past space missions.

Attitude Control Systems MOOC: Space Mission Design and Operations

Explores attitude control, measurement, and spacecraft orientation in space.

Attitude Control: Closed Loop MOOC: Space Mission Design and Operations

Covers closed loop attitude control in space missions and techniques for achieving stabilization.

Residential Rooftop Photovoltaic Energy for Electric Cars

Delves into using residential rooftop solar panels to charge electric vehicles directly, reducing grid stress.

Solar Energy: Photovoltaic & Thermal MOOC: SES Swiss-Energyscope