On June 2 and 4, the MUISE hosted the seminar“Space Power System: Power Electronics in Aerospace Systems”.The activity was given by Prof. Dr. Esteban Sanchis (Universitat de València). The activity allowed the students to enter a highly specialized technological field, where power electronics plays a critical role.
During the seminar, key aspects of power system design in the space environment were addressed, such as power distribution architectures, generation and regulation systems, as well as the strict reliability criteria that devices must meet under extreme conditions. Unlike terrestrial electronics, the design of space systems requires a holistic approach in which robustness and fault tolerance are a priority.
One of the highlights was precisely the difference in design philosophy compared to conventional applications. In a satellite, energy management must be carried out completely autonomously, in a hostile environment where there is no possibility of intervention once the system has been launched. This reality makes it necessary to adopt highly specialized solutions, both in terms of architecture and components.
In the words of one of the students in attendance:
“I was very surprised to discover the very different design philosophy behind a satellite. Learning how to manage power completely autonomously in such a hostile environment, prioritizing fault tolerance above all else, has been very interesting to me. It makes you look at power electronics from a much more strategic and demanding point of view than ground electronics.
Furthermore, I did not imagine that these requirements […] would have to be applied on such a small scale as the bus itself or on the individual circuit components. It was very striking to me to see that details such as the use of ceramic encapsulation […] or gold finishes, are indispensable requirements on a physical level for the mission to survive.”
The seminar also provided a valuable perspective on the impact of this knowledge on students’ professional development. The same student highlighted:
“I have always been very interested in the space sector […] This seminar has made me understand the critical importance of power systems in this area […]. Working in space, any digital system is completely dependent on robust power distribution and meticulous attention to detail.”
This testimony clearly reflects how the seminar has not only contributed to broadening the students’ technical knowledge, but also to strengthening their professional orientation towards strategic sectors such as aerospace.
In short, the session highlighted the fundamental role of power electronics in space applications and the need to approach design from a systemic perspective, where every detail counts. Activities like this reinforce MUISE’s commitment to advanced training, connected to real technological challenges and oriented to the professional future of its students.
This activity has been financed through the SIRVE program of the UPV.
