Power conversion circuitry and system aspects of utilizing a superconducting coil in a low earth orbit satellite

The problem of doubling the mission life of Low Earth Orbit Satellites from five to ten years lies primarily with the longevity of the batteries used. These batteries are currently utilized on satellites to supply power to circuitry during the time the satellite's solar array is obscured from the sun. By replacing the batteries with a superconducting coil, to be utilized as a rechargeable energy source, greater energy efficiency and longer mission life can be obtained. A historical overview of this technology is presented and some of the problems associated with its implementation are discussed. The issues of charging the coil from a solar array are addressed and analytically examined. A possible design for a chopper circuit used to operate a resistive load from both the coil and array is then developed.