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High-Power Testing in Aerospace & Defense
Accelerate testing with real orbital conditions across launch, eclipse and payload operations.
Power Testing That Accurately Simulates Real Space Conditions
Validating power systems and payloads in satellite programs isn’t just about passing test cases. It’s about recreating edge conditions that could cause mission failure. Traditional test benches can’t replicate transients, thermal shifts, or orbital profiles with the precision and repeatability that aerospace and defense (A&D) demands.
Accelerate Testing with Real Orbital Conditions
Our latest ATE system power solutions combine high-density power supplies, regenerative electronic loads, and battery emulation software to give engineers full control over how systems behave across launch, eclipse, and payload operations.
The result? Faster test cycles, lower thermal footprint, and deeper insight into satellite power performance.
Use Case 1: Satellite Payload Testing
Validate Mission-Critical Payload Systems Faster, Safely, and with Absolute Confidence
Struggling to validate payload behavior under ripple, surge, or dropout events with enough precision? Use our high-power regenerative power supplies and electronic loads with sub-millisecond transient control to inject realistic faults and see how your system truly responds.
Start with 2 to 6 kW units for individual subsystems, or scale to 12 kW+ for full payload integration. You’ll get repeatable waveforms, clean transitions, and energy recovery on long-duration runs.
Use Case 2: Satellite Battery Emulation
Secure Mission-Grade Satellite Battery Testing
Power conditioning units (PCUs) don’t just regulate power; they’re the last line of defense when battery behavior gets unpredictable. If you’re validating PCU response to real-world conditions like state-of-charge (SoC) drift, orbital temperature swings, or eclipse transitions, physical batteries introduce more risk than realism.
Webinar: Avoiding Pitfalls in High-Power Test
Discover the five most common mistakes in high-power validation and proven strategies to avoid them.
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"Simulating the sun-to-eclipse cycles accurately is mission-critical for us. If we can't reproduce the thermal and power load transitions, we’re basically guessing at how the system behaves in orbit.”
power systems architect, defense satellite program
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"Edge cases are where problems happen — transients, overvoltages, fast switching. We’ve struggled to recreate those with enough fidelity to catch intermittent failures before flight.”
INTEGRATION LEAD, SPACE VEHICLE ELECTRONICS
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"Real batteries are bulky, hot, and expensive to cycle for weeks. Just staying within safety margins eats up time, and we still don’t get the repeatability we need.”
BATTERY TEST MANAGER, SATELLITE PROGRAM
Quick Model Selection Guide
Not Sure Where to Start?
Quickly match your aerospace and defense power test application with the right programmable source or regenerative eload — whether you're simulating battery behavior, validating payload robustness, or working in space-constrained labs.
| Use Case | Recommended Models | Why |
| Battery emulation for PCU testing | RP5900 Series Power Supplies: 4 kW to 12 kW models |
Regenerative source simulates dynamic SoC shifts, sun–eclipse transitions |
| Payload subsystem load emulation | EL4900 Series Electronic Loads: 2 kW to 6 kW models |
Regenerative electronic load sinks power during ripple, dropout, and surge tests |
| High-voltage or high-power simulation | RP5900 Series Power Supplies: paralleled units up to 192 kW |
Supports up to 800 V / 240 A per unit; scalable to full system loads |
| Long-duration cycling and energy reuse | RP5900 Series Power Supplies and EL4900 Series Electronic Loads |
Regeneration reduces energy waste and test cell cooling overhead |
| Compact test benches or tight rack space | DP5700 Series Power Supplies: 1.5 kW models |
Ideal footprint for satellite labs or narrow ATE bays |
| Basic DC power sourcing (non-regenerative) | DP5700 Series Power Supplies: 1.5 kW, 3.4 kW, or 5 kW models |
High-current, cost-effective single-output DC supply |
Explore Products
Keysight’s new high-power ATE system supplies deliver sub-millisecond accuracy, regenerative efficiency, and seamless automation.
DP5700 Series High-Density Power Supplies
- 1.5 kW, 3.4 kW, 5 kW
- Max voltage: 600 V
- Max current: 500 A
- Available in half-rack width and 1U sizes
- Removable SD memory ensures data remains classified
RP5900 Series Regenerative Power Supplies
- 2 kW, 4 kW, 6 kW, 12 kW
- Max voltage: 800 V
- Max current: 240 A
- Available in 1U and 2U sizes
- Bidirectional power sourcing with up to 95% of energy returned to the grid
EL4900 Series Regenerative Electronic Loads
- 2 kW, 4 kW, 6 kW, 12 kW
- Max voltage: 800 V
- Max current: 240 A
- Available in 1U and 2U sizes
- Bidirectional power sinking with up to 95% of energy returned to the grid
Power Without Compromise
Validate multi-kilowatt devices faster in less space — without sacrificing performance or programmability.
Ready to accelerate satellite power system validation?