The Eighth European Space Power Conference follows the success of the previous seven conferences (2005 Stresa, 2002 Porto, 1998 Tarragona, 1995 Poitiers, 1993 Graz, 1991 Florence and 1989 Madrid) which have been held on a bi-annual and tri-annual basis. It is a unique forum covering all aspects of electrical power for space applications, from power system architecture to generation and storage, to power conversion and power management.
Indeed, the electrical power subsystem is a core element of any spacecraft and the progress in technology is still giving new challenges and opportunities: Performance improvement has always been the main driver for the power technology development; however the cost reduction requirement for LEO and GEO missions invites the exploration of product standardisation possibilities and modular concepts. In the past years, power generation by advanced Gallium-Arsenide technology has become a baseline solution for satellites, and the next generation of solar cells is expected to bring further improvements in costs and performance. Furthermore, it is clear that a spin-off from space technology into terrestrial applications is ongoing.
Since the first paper on lithium ion batteries for space appeared at the ESPC in 1998, lithium ion batteries have become the technology of choice for practically all new spacecraft. The main focus of interest is expected to be the management and performance of these batteries during integration and flight.
In the field of power conversion technology, new topologies of circuitry and new components are now providing alternative solutions in order to save costs and to increase efficiency and reliability. Recently, electrical propulsion has been developed as a major field of high voltage conversion applications and has raised new challenges for high voltage insulation materials and designs. Maximum Power Point Tracking versus less power-optimized system layouts is a question which must always be re-examined, depending on mission scenario, reliability requirements and consideration of the actual progress in solar generator and battery technology. For all the power subsystem domains, new technological challenges are posed by the future planetary exploration and scientific missions. In this context of continuous progress and improvements, all participants will aquire a general awareness of the interactive nature of their specific disciplines.
The working language of the conference will be English.
On this occasion, the ESPC is performed in partnership with ASTRUM GmbH, DLR and HTWG (University of Applied Sciences in Konstanz) and co-sponsored by ASP Advance Space Power Equipment, AZUR SPACE Solar Power GmbH and TESAT Spacecom