Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Space
  • /
  • Cobham unveils world's first highly-integrated power switch controllers for space

Space

Cobham unveils world's first highly-integrated power switch controllers for space

Cobham Advanced Electronic Solutions has introduced highly-integrated smart power switch controllers, the first of their kind for space and satellite applications.


Courtesy Cobham

The UT36PFD103 and UT05PFD103 Smart Power Switch Controllers (SPSC) provide extensive fault detection, isolation, and recovery capabilities as well as digitized telemetry of input voltage, output voltage, and load current into a single device. In addition, Cobham’s new controllers feature PMBus protocol over I2C communication, thereby enabling significantly reduced size, weight, power and cost benefits, often yielding better than 75% area and 50% cost reduction over equivalent discrete implementations.

Advertisement
ODU RT

With the availability of Cobham’s UT36PFD103 and UT05PFD103 Smart Power Switch Controllers, developers can easily design 4.5V through 36V spacecraft power distribution systems, with the assurance that no load fault will cause undo harm to the bus and associated electronics.

Advertisement
ODU RT

“Cobham has a long heritage as a leader in space and satellite technologies, having powered hundreds of missions over the past 30+ years. Our broad portfolio of semiconductors, radiation hardened, high reliability microelectronic products and IP solutions are recognized worldwide for their pedigree, performance and dependability,” said Kevin Jackson, Vice President and General Manager, Semiconductor and Space Solutions, Cobham Advanced Electronic Solutions. “As the latest addition to our product portfolio and the first of its kind for space and satellite applications, our new Smart Power Switch Controllers continue to offer unparalleled features, integration and functionality, making them the most exemplary intelligent power switch controlling solutions in the market today.”                                                 
 

Advertisement
FIA2026 animated banner
North East

Space

North East's landmark space centre reaches major construction milestone

9 April 2026

Topping out ceremony marks pivotal moment for centre backed by £50 million investment set to transform the region's space economy.

Bright Ascension software helps support AAC Clyde Space VIREON satellites

Space

Bright Ascension software helps support AAC Clyde Space VIREON satellites

7 April 2026

Bright Ascension's flight software has helped support the successful launch of two VIREON Earth observation satellites, developed by AAC Clyde Space.

Artemis II lifts off: destination Moon with the Orion spacecraft

Space

Artemis II lifts off: destination Moon with the Orion spacecraft

2 April 2026

Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen have taken off from Kennedy Space Center, bound for the Moon. More than 50 years after Apollo, this first crewed flight beyond low Earth orbit marks a historic milestone for NASA’s Artemis programme. The stakes are twofold: to validate the Orion spacecraft's systems and hardware essential ...

Space Scotland hosts international forum in Edinburgh

Space Events

Space Scotland hosts international forum in Edinburgh

2 April 2026

Senior diplomats from 20 countries and some of Scotland’s most innovative space companies gathered in Edinburgh to turn international interest into tangible partnerships at 'Space Connects the World: Consular Corps Scottish Space Forum'.

Advertisement
ODU RT
ESM-2 set to power Artemis II crew to the Moon

Space

ESM-2 set to power Artemis II crew to the Moon

31 March 2026

As the world prepares for the launch of Artemis II - the first crewed mission to the Moon in over 50 years - the Orion European Service Module (ESM-2) is fully integrated, fuelled and 'go' for flight.

Scottish space companies pioneer next-gen satellite comms with SpaceX launch

Space

Scottish space companies pioneer next-gen satellite comms with SpaceX launch

31 March 2026

Three new satellites built in Scotland have launched aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-16 mission, marking a significant step forward for UK leadership in laser communications, spacecraft manufacturing and the operation of satellite constellations.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
FIA2026 animated banner