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Aerospace
Special Issues
Space Power and Electronic Systems
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Space Power and Electronic Systems

A special issue of Aerospace (ISSN 2226-4310). This special issue belongs to the section "Astronautics & Space Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2026) | Viewed by 3632

Editors

Prof. Dr. Ausias Garrigós

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Space Power and Electronic Systems group. Department of Materials Science, Optics and Electronic Technology, Miguel Hernández University of Elche, Elche, Spain
Interests: space power; electronics systems
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Jose M. Blanes

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Space Power and Electronic Systems group. Department of Materials Science, Optics and Electronic Technology, Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche, Elche, Spain
Interests: space power; electronics systems
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. David Marroquí

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Space Power and Electronic Systems group. Department of Materials Science, Optics and Electronic Technology, Miguel Hernández University of Elche, Elche, Spain
Interests: space power electronics; electronics systems
Prof. Dr. Esteban Sanchis-Kilders

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Electronic Engineering, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
Interests: space power electronics; magnetism; control; industrial applications

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are witnessing a renaissance in space exploration, with missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond, alongside the rapid deployment of massive satellite constellations. This ambitious expansion places unprecedented demands on the power and electronic systems that form the backbone of every spacecraft. These systems must operate flawlessly in the harsh radiation environment of space, endure extreme thermal cycles, and deliver ever-increasing performance within tight mass, volume, and cost constraints.

This Special Issue, "Space Power and Electronic Systems", provides a forum for the latest breakthroughs in this critical field. We welcome original research and review articles on topics including, but not limited to, the following: advanced solar power generation; high-density energy storage and battery management systems (BMS); innovative power management, control, and distribution (PCDU) architectures; and radiation-hardened electronics. We are particularly interested in contributions that bridge the gap between traditional high-reliability design and the agile, cost-effective methodologies of the New Space era. Join us in defining the future of technology that will enable the next generation of space exploration.

Prof. Dr. Ausias Garrigós
Dr. Jose M. Blanes
Dr. David Marroquí
Prof. Dr. Esteban Sanchis-Kilders
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Aerospace is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • space power systems
  • control and distribution
  • new space
  • radiation-hardened electronics
  • COTS electronics
  • satellites

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 1254 KB  
Article
Design of a Real-Time, Heuristic-Based Scheduling and Power Management Algorithm for a Re-Entry CubeSat
by Máté Keller, Daniel Aleksandrov, Jurgen Vanhamel and Valentijn De Smedt
Aerospace 2026, 13(5), 445; https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace13050445 - 9 May 2026
Viewed by 483
Abstract
CubeSats are used as a platform in modern space missions due to their standardized form factor, reduced development cost, and shortened launch timelines. Earth observation, space weather monitoring and even re-entry applications make use of the CubeSat standard. Despite their advantages, CubeSats are [...] Read more.
CubeSats are used as a platform in modern space missions due to their standardized form factor, reduced development cost, and shortened launch timelines. Earth observation, space weather monitoring and even re-entry applications make use of the CubeSat standard. Despite their advantages, CubeSats are constrained by limited onboard resources, with electrical power availability being one of the most critical bottlenecks. This work presents a dynamic, hybrid offline/online task scheduling and power management algorithm for a re-entry CubeSat, combining pre-computed schedules with real-time adaptation to changing flight conditions. The algorithm employs a heuristic-based approach, ranking tasks by parameters including priority, execution delay, duration, and power consumption. It adapts to varying flight conditions and system failures. In critical battery State of Charge (SoC) scenarios, only high-priority tasks above a defined threshold are executed, conserving power. A simulation suite was developed to evaluate performance under realistic mission profiles and stress tests with high loads and numerous tasks. The metrics included average and maximum task delay and average power consumption. The results show that appropriate heuristic weight selection can yield significant improvements in reliability and efficiency. The proposed algorithm offers a flexible, scalable solution for CubeSat power management, which is capable of maintaining operational reliability under dynamic conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Space Power and Electronic Systems)
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19 pages, 2122 KB  
Article
Modeling of a Multiconverter Power Distribution System for Space Applications Based on Standard Modules
by Adrián Ocaña-Bravo, Cristina Fernández, Andrés Barrado and Pablo Zumel
Aerospace 2026, 13(5), 406; https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace13050406 - 25 Apr 2026
Viewed by 440
Abstract
The adoption of standardized modular converters is an emerging trend in space-qualified electrical power systems. This modular approach streamlines design and manufacturing processes, potentially reducing development lead times for new satellite platforms. Building on previous research that identified the four-switch buck-boost (FSBB) converter [...] Read more.
The adoption of standardized modular converters is an emerging trend in space-qualified electrical power systems. This modular approach streamlines design and manufacturing processes, potentially reducing development lead times for new satellite platforms. Building on previous research that identified the four-switch buck-boost (FSBB) converter with double digital control loops as an effective solution for solar array and battery interfacing, this paper presents the small-signal analytical modeling of control loops within a modular multiconverter architecture operating in boost mode with resistive load. A model of a single- and two-module system is proposed and validated through both simulation and experimental measurements, providing a robust framework for assessing inter-module interactions and their impact on overall system stability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Space Power and Electronic Systems)
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19 pages, 6134 KB  
Article
Modular and Highly Reliable COTS-Based Power Conditioning and Distribution Unit for Small Satellites
by Cristian Torres Vergara, José Manuel Blanes Martínez, Ausiàs Garrigós Sirvent, David Marroquí Sempere, Pablo Casado Pérez and José Luis Lizan Mas
Aerospace 2026, 13(4), 364; https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace13040364 - 14 Apr 2026
Viewed by 900
Abstract
This paper presents a modular Power Conditioning and Distribution Unit (PCDU) designed for small satellites. The proposed system features a highly adaptable architecture capable of managing a total power throughput of up to 100 W, with specific limits defined by mission-dependent thermal and [...] Read more.
This paper presents a modular Power Conditioning and Distribution Unit (PCDU) designed for small satellites. The proposed system features a highly adaptable architecture capable of managing a total power throughput of up to 100 W, with specific limits defined by mission-dependent thermal and redundancy configurations. Aligned with the New Space paradigm, the implementation relies on Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) components, a strategy that drastically reduces development and manufacturing costs without compromising reliability. The system has been optimized for operation in harsh environments, including high vacuum, ionizing radiation, and extreme thermal gradients. The design incorporates strict redundancy and fault-tolerance criteria to provide a robust solution for critical subsystems. Comprehensive validation was performed through functional testing, Total Ionizing Dose (TID) radiation campaigns, and Thermal Vacuum (TVAC) cycles. Experimental results demonstrate that the PCDU withstands high-vacuum thermal cycling and cumulative radiation doses exceeding 75 kRad. These findings confirm that the developed unit is a cost-effective, high-reliability solution suitable for both Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and deep-space missions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Space Power and Electronic Systems)
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Review

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31 pages, 1673 KB  
Review
Applications of Commercial-Grade Electronic Components in Space Projects: A Review
by Luz del Carmen García-Rodríguez, Mario Alberto Mendoza-Barcenas, Javier Díaz-Carmona, Agustín Sancén-Plaza, Luis Enrique Chinea-Mujica, Francisco Javier Pérez-Pinal and Alejandro Espinosa-Calderón
Aerospace 2026, 13(6), 495; https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace13060495 - 25 May 2026
Viewed by 1093
Abstract
Electronic components play a fundamental role in critical missions, performing functions such as data processing, measurement of physical variables, data storage, communication, power generation and storage, and algorithm computation. However, their performance can be compromised in harsh environments like those encountered in aerospace [...] Read more.
Electronic components play a fundamental role in critical missions, performing functions such as data processing, measurement of physical variables, data storage, communication, power generation and storage, and algorithm computation. However, their performance can be compromised in harsh environments like those encountered in aerospace applications, where components are exposed to extreme conditions including radiation, temperature variations, and vibrations. To ensure reliability, electronic components used in aerospace missions must comply with strict specifications, typically requiring space- or military-grade standards. These components are significantly more expensive than commercial alternatives and often involve long development and design times for custom platforms. The use of COTS (Commercial-Off-The-Shelf) components has emerged as a viable solution for aerospace applications where cost and development time are critical factors. This paper presents a state-of-the-art review of COTS components used in aerospace missions. After an extensive literature review and document screening process, the results indicate that COTS components are commonly employed in critical missions, representing 44% of the studies analyzed. Furthermore, approximately 81% of the reviewed projects focused on space applications, with validation performed in space (22%), ground (75%), and air (3%) environments. Among the systems validated for space missions, half used CubeSat-based payload structures, while the rest relied on other platforms. Most launches were conducted using spacecraft (96%), with the remainder using balloons. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Space Power and Electronic Systems)
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