The Tensor Tech Integrated ADCS with Reaction Sphere (ADCS100) is an integrated Attitude Determination and Control System (ADCS) that utilizes a variable-speed, single-gimbal control moment gyro (CMG), driven by spherical motor technology for attitude actuation.

It has been designed for user-friendly integration and operations, with dedicated customer support software for calibration, setting, and simulations on PC. It has a PC104 connector and is controlled by the onboard computer (OBC) using I2C or UART with attitude command.

Tensor Tech's spherical motor technology has been designed to provide the required levels of ADCS performance for a modern satellite, but with lower weight, volume, and power consumption than traditional systems. The ADCS100 forms part of a family of attitude control systems that also includes the ADCS10 - an integrated ADCS suitable for 1-3U CubeSats.

The spherical motor has 2 degrees of freedom in its mechanical structure and operates in the same way as a variable-speed, single-gimbal control moment gyro (CMG), in terms of the rotational dynamics. It can provide angular momentum and torque in 2 axes, due to its patented magnetic field design and control methodology.

An integrated ADCS enables satellite integrators to avoid the need to directly program complicated attitude determination and control algorithms when building an entire system in-house. This helps to save development time and ensures greater reliability.

By utilizing an integrated ADCS a satellite producer can also avoid the costs involved with contracting all design and integration jobs to a professional company, while controlling more aspects of the system.

The video below is a presentation by Tensor Tech from the 2021 satsearch webinar: "a guide to selecting an ADCS for a small satellite mission". For more information about the webinar, and to see footage of the entire event, please click here