Episode 022 - Space Power and the Greatest Selfie Ever Taken

You’ve probably seen the photo.

 

"Earthrise" is one of the most significant photographs in the history of human civilization, and certainly the most iconic in space exploration. Taken by astronaut William Anders during the Apollo 8 mission, the first crewed mission to orbit the Moon, on December 24, 1968, this photograph captured the imagination of the world.

 

The image itself is remarkably simple, yet its impact was immediate and profound. It shows the Earth rising above the lunar horizon, with our planet's blue and white colors standing out against the stark, barren surface of the Moon, all surrounded by the black vacuum of space. Our little blue dot, floating in the vastness of the cosmos.

 

Fast forward to today, and we have thousands of satellites in orbit, looking back at us. These satellites perform a variety of critical tasks, from positioning, navigation, and timing to telecommunications. But above all else, they continue the legacy of "Earthrise" by keeping an eye on our planet.

 

Satellites today are active participants in managing and understanding our planet, monitoring weather, ocean currents, and topographical changes. They track the health of coral reefs, They play crucial roles in agriculture by predicting crop yields, in urban development by aiding city planners, and in disaster response by providing real-time data on natural catastrophes. Additionally, satellites are instrumental in climate science, measuring greenhouse gas concentrations, monitoring polar ice caps, and tracking health of coral reefs. They also contribute to conservation efforts by tracking animal migrations and monitoring endangered species.    —essentially, they take selfies of Earth.

 

Next time you open up Google Earth or a similar maps application, you’re seeing the result of this advanced photographic technology. But unlike the modified Hasselblad camera used by Anders, today's satellites are far more sophisticated, and their power requirements are much more complex. The first lunar module was famously less powerful than the smartphones we carry in our pockets. When our phones run out of battery, we simply plug them into the wall and wait for recharge.

 

Satellites, however, face a different challenge entirely.

 

Space power design is a daunting task. Here on Earth, we can dispatch a service technician to fix issues as they arise. Up there, satellites are on their own. This is where advanced power management and delivery systems come into play, and the need for radiation-tolerant components qualified for space applications becomes critical. These systems must capture energy from solar panels and distribute it efficiently to each function within the spacecraft, often at ever-increasing voltages. There’s no room for error; the components need to be installed and designed right the first time.

 

In sum, satellites have evolved from simple observational tools to complex systems that provide critical data for a wide range of applications, all aimed at making our lives better and our planet more sustainable. As we continue to push the boundaries of what these incredible machines can do, the importance of reliable and efficient power management systems cannot be overstated.

 

How can Microchip Technology power and drive the evolution of satellite technology?

 

Links from the episode:

Rad-Hard MOSFET landing page - Radiation-Hardened Power MOSFETs | Microchip Technology

Space brochure - Space Solutions Brochure

 

Guest: Oscar Mansilla