Solid-State Power Amplifiers: Trade-Offs, Challenges, and Opportunities in Space Applications

Solid-State Power Amplifiers (SSPAs) are critical components in modern space communication systems, enabling reliable and efficient signal transmission for a wide range of applications. As satellite networks evolve to meet increasing demands for data throughput and connectivity, SSPAs face new challenges, including high Peak-to-Average Power Ratio (PAPR) signals, flexible power management, and integration with advanced antenna technologies. These emerging requirements add to traditional constraints such as high reliability, thermal management, and size and weight limitations. This contribution discusses the key trade-offs between power, efficiency, and linearity in SSPAs for space applications, presenting representative examples and design strategies that address the technical challenges while exploring opportunities for next-generation satellites.