Study of a dual polarity output voltage DC-DC converter for leakage current cancelling in space electrical propulsion

Details

Supervisors

Bekemans, Marc

Faculty

Ecole polytechnique de Louvain

Degree label

Master [120] : ingénieur civil électricien, à finalité spécialisée

Abstract

In satellites, the propulsion engines play a crucial role in changing orbits efficiently and controlling the attitude of the satellite. The current technology used in spacecraft propulsion is the use of a plasma thruster, which is connected to the power bus by means of a transformer. Thales Alenia Space has been working on a new technology called the Direct-Drive architecture, but as it remains a project for now, the need of a new kind of power supply has been identified in order to cancel leakage current. The aim of this master thesis is to find a suitable solution that addresses the needs of the Direct-Drive architecture. A Watkins-Johnson converter will be designed, in order to deliver a dual polarity output voltage to the thruster’s cathode. The theoretical design will first be explained. Then, a physical circuit will be constructed and tests will be performed in order to show the good working of this prototype.