EMC Testing Approach for Power Distribution Unit of Small Satellite

In this paper the EMC test campaign of a high-reliability onboard small-satellite subsystem, the central distribution unit of the power subsystem is presented. Beside the description of the European Student Earth Orbiter (ESEO) mission which is a student satellite project of ESA, and the brief functional overview of the Power Distribution Unit (PDU), those challenges, techniques and experiences furthermore exact measurement methods are detailed that made base to carry out the required EMC tests and provided the proper qualification of the flight model of PDU on the board of ESEO. Since the mentioned unit was designed and manufactured in the Laboratory of Space Technology, the guidelines for the measurement campaign were also elaborated by the staff of the Laboratory, boosted by the professional heritage of several past space projects, so as the proper performance of test phases with strong contribution of university students.