Summary

A high-performance alternative to a propulsion-based reaction control system, reaction wheels provide spacecraft with control torque by means of momentum exchange between the satellite body and the rotating wheel.

The increasing popularity of these wheels coupled with our commitment to high-quality, fit-for-purpose components has resulted in NSS offering these wheels in a range of standard sizes (NRWA-T065, NRWA-T2, NRWA-T6, and NRWA-T80) or can offer a customized flywheel for mission optimization.

Applications

  • High-performance three-axis torque and momentum exchange actuators for agile small satellite missions
  • Momentum bias
  • Inertial rate control for accurate pointing of imagers

Key features

  • Wheel torque and momentum capacity suited to client mission requirements
  • Current, speed and Torque control
  • Simple digital interface to the spacecraft bus
  • Integration with an optional gyroscope for inertial rate control and inertial angle control modes is possible on T065
  • Hermetically sealed (T065 & T2)
  • Long demonstrated lifetimes

Flight heritage

The T065 wheel, which first flew in 2014, has more than 3 million failure-free hours in-orbit with no reported SEUs. Since then, NSS has expanded its wheel range and now offers custom wheel solutions.

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Last updated: 2024-02-06

LIBRA-065 Reaction Wheel

9TRL

Downloads

Specs

mass
1.55 kg
length
102 mm (wheel)
width
102 mm (wheel)
height
105 mm (wheel)
maximum torque
20 mN m
maximum momentum storage
0.65 Nms (at 20 mNm)
maximum angular speed
-9000 to 9000 rpm
rotor moment of inertia
0.001 kg m^2
speed control accuracy
<1 rpm @ >100 rpm
thermal (acceptance)
-20 to 60 C
power supply
28 V unregulated
data interface
RS422
connector type
9-pin D-type Male
mechanical vibration
16.95 gRMS (random)
radiation tolerance
10 krad (component level)

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