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
PTC rectangle

“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
Cranfield University unveils wind-powered WANDER-bot

Space

Cranfield University unveils wind-powered WANDER-bot

13 March 2026

Researchers at Cranfield University have created WANDER-bot, a low-cost, 3D-printed robot that is powered by wind energy.

Orbit Fab and Airbus collaborate on satellite refuelling

Space Events

Orbit Fab and Airbus collaborate on satellite refuelling

12 March 2026

Orbit Fab are working with Airbus Defence and Space to assess the feasibility of incorporating Orbit Fab’s RAFTI refuelling valve into possible future Airbus geostationary satellites, as part of a project within the European Space Agency’s programme of Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems, named RADICAL, funded by the UK Space ...

BAE Systems completes preliminary design review of USSF missile tracking system

Defence Space

BAE Systems completes preliminary design review of USSF missile tracking system

12 March 2026

BAE Systems has completed the Preliminary Design Review for the $1.2 billion US Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) Resilient Missile Warning & Tracking (RMWT) – Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) Epoch 2 programme to provide missile warning and tracking of advanced missile threats.

UK scientists help reveal ever-changing Universe

Space

UK scientists help reveal ever-changing Universe

12 March 2026

As the Vera C. Rubin Observatory issues live alerts of changes in the night sky, a UK innovation allows us to observe millions of unfolding astronomical events.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Dr Noelia Noël awarded STFC Leadership Fellowship in Public Engagement

Space

Dr Noelia Noël awarded STFC Leadership Fellowship in Public Engagement

12 March 2026

Dr Noelia Noël, Senior Lecturer in Astrophysics at the University of Surrey, has been awarded this year’s Leadership Fellowship in Public Engagement from the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC).

UK-first achieved in advanced materials

Aerospace Defence Space

UK-first achieved in advanced materials

11 March 2026

The UK has established its first sovereign manufacturing capability for ultrahigh temperature materials - vital for space, hypersonic and propulsion systems.

Advertisement
PTC rectangle
Advertisement
FIA2026 animated banner