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This paper adds thermal properties to previously developed [1] [2] [3] electrical Saber templates and incorporates these templates into a functional Electrical Power Subsystem (EPS) simulation. These combined electrical and thermal templates enable the complete and realistic simulation of a vehicle EPS on-orbit. Applications Include on-orbit energy balance determinations for system load changes, initial array and battery EPS sizing for new EPS development, and array and battery technology trade studies. This effort proves the versatility of the Saber simulation program in handling varied and complex simulations accurately and in a reasonable amount of computer time.

The characteristics of Peak-Power Tracker (PPT) and Direct Energy Transfer (DET) satellite Electrical Power Systems (EPS) are compared with respect to: (1) the ratio of DET to PPT array areas, due to the PPT's ability to extract the “cold array power”. The comparisons will be made assuming equal output power systems using array parameters, array technology, and orbit characteristics as parameters, (2) the ratio of array areas for the two approaches vs load profile over life, with array technology as a parameter, (3) power system efficiency vs. array areas for the two approaches, and (4) PPT tracking accuracy of the array peak-power point. System power dissipation is not addressed for the two approaches.