SmallSat PCDU – STARBUCK-MINI
AAC Clyde Space
AAC Clyde Space's power conditioning and distribution unit delivering up to 2.5 kW for small satellites, with proven flight heritage and a modular, scalable architecture for diverse mission requirements.
Technical specifications
- Design Life
- 5-7 years in LEO
- System Power
- 2.5 kW
- Primary Bus Voltage
- 22-34 V
- Solar Power Regulation
- MPPT or S3R
- Battery Charge Regulation
- CC-CV
- Idle Power Consumption Range
- 10 W Typically
- Operating Temperature
- -30°C to +60°C
- Radiation Tolerance (TiD)
- 20 kRAD (qualified >30 kRAD Si)
- Mass (5 Module Configuration)
- 3.9 kg
- Mass (15 Module Configuration)
- 11.8 kg
- Width (5 Module Configuration)
- 142 mm
- Width (15 Module Configuration)
- 361 mm
- Height
- 147 mm
- Depth
- 249 mm
- 500 W Solar Array Configuration
- 20 x 28V LCLs - 6 x 5V LCLs - 6 x 12V LCLs
- 2.5 kW Solar Array Configuration
- 100 x 28V LCLs - 1.2 kW 50V output for electric propulsion
- TRL Level
- 9
- EM Lead Time
- 6 months
- FM Lead Time
- 10 months
- Flight Status
- Flown 2024
About
The STARBUCK-MINI is a SmallSat Power Conditioning and Distribution Unit (PCDU) designed for high-performance power control across various missions. Upgraded to deliver 2.5 kW of solar input power (67% increase from previous 1.5 kW versions), it enables higher-power payloads and extended mission flexibility. The modular, scalable architecture allows configuration with up to 15 modules for tailored performance. Features include COTS components combined with radiation-hardened parts, current-limiting circuits on all outputs, redundant power paths for critical payloads, internal redundancies, and single-point failure tolerance. Combines advanced power management with Maximum Power Point Tracking or S3R battery charge regulation. Used on missions including Intuitive Machines 2024 Lunar Mission, Sweden’s MATS satellite, ESA’s Arctic Weather Satellite, and Astroscale’s ELSA-M space debris removal service.
Documentation
Need the full ICD, test reports or a specific revision? Ask the supplier directly.
