Electrical Systems for the Large Satellite Test Chamber
The National Satellite Test Facility (NSTF) is a new facility built by RAL Space at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory.
It is the UK’s first comprehensive set of space test facilities at this scale and enables UK industry to build bigger, more technologically advanced satellites and test them in the UK.
The £105 M NSTF is funded by the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund and the National Productivity Investment Fund.
The Large Satellite Test Chamber (LSTC) is one of the key facilities at the NSTF. It is a bespoke thermal vacuum chamber used to simulate the vacuum and thermal conditions in space.
The LSTC is seven meters in diameter and 12 meters long, lined with temperature-controlled panels powered by 140 DC power supplies.
The electrical system for controlling the DC power supplies was a complex and challenging project.
It must be highly reliable, as any failures could result in the loss of valuable experimental data. The system must also be flexible so that different power supplies can be operated with open or closed-loop feedback.
A 3D model of the LSTC with the location of the DC power supply racks highlighted in colour
The electrical system was designed and built by our Electrical Engineering Group. They faced several challenges, including the limited physical space available.
However, they were able to overcome these obstacles by using their extensive knowledge of power supply systems.
They procured reliable power supplies with a high power density and housed them in customised rack systems to optimise the available space.
The team used a variety of techniques and technologies to ensure that the system meet the required standards. These techniques include:
- 3D modelling and simulation
- Fault-tolerant design
- High-reliability components
- Extensive testing
The electrical system was completed in 2024, the same year that the NSTF officially opened.
It plays a vital role in the testing of satellites at the NSTF, helping to ensure that UK industry remains at the forefront of space technology.
A DC power supply rack with an integrated control system
