Prospects for the application of nonlinear dynamics to spacecraft power systems

Nonlinear dynamics has been successful in explaining apparently spurious behaviour in a wide variety of systems. We propose that it be applied to the analysis of spacecraft power systems. The components of space power systems are nonlinear, yet linear techniques are typically used in their dynamical analysis: This can sometimes lead to qualitatively wrong predictions of behaviour. First, we outline some fundamental concepts of nonlinear dynamics: We then study three simple examples that model space power systems, and find phenomena that fit into the general framework of nonlinear dynamics. These include various types of bifurcation, coexisting attractors, and chaos.