World's first! Tianzhou-10 completes on-orbit verification of 400V high-voltage power supply, ushering in a revolution in space power supply.

The 400V bus space power system, led by the Fifth Academy of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, has completed all in-orbit tests aboard the Tianzhou-10 cargo spacecraft.

This marks the first time globally that this high-voltage power supply architecture has been fully verified in space, with all operational data meeting targets.

Previously, most spacecraft used 28V or 100V low-voltage power supply architectures. As equipment power increases, transmission current scales up, requiring heavy-duty cables and significantly increasing power loss and heat dissipation pressure.

With new projects such as lunar surface research stations, high-power electric propulsion spacecraft, and space computing platforms on the horizon, the old low-voltage solutions can no longer meet the demands of future ultra-high-power space missions.

The 400V high-voltage bus significantly reduces transmission current, lowers cable weight, and decreases power transmission losses.

The entire system was initiated in October 2025. The R&D team successively overcame multiple key challenges, including high-voltage insulation protection, flexible high-voltage solar arrays, high-voltage power regulation, and solid-state power distribution technologies. Several performance parameters have reached globally leading levels.

The space environment involves complex interferences such as extreme temperature variations and space radiation, which cannot be fully replicated in ground simulations. During its in-orbit operation, Tianzhou-10 specifically conducted two special tests to thoroughly verify the system's long-term operational stability and environmental adaptability.

Many people view the Tianzhou series merely as space cargo transporters, but this spacecraft also serves as a platform for testing cutting-edge aerospace technologies. In addition to delivering supplies, this mission carried multiple new experimental payloads, with the 400V power system being one of the most strategically valuable projects.

Once this power system is validated and implemented, it will comprehensively support subsequent large-scale aerospace projects such as lunar outposts, space station expansions, and deep space exploration.