Reinventing the wheel: parabolic flight validation of reaction spheres

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T0130-P

Reinventing the wheel: parabolic flight validation of reaction spheres

PI: Alvin Yew, NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Emory Stagmer (Co-I), Northrop Grumman Corp. (5)

Overview
Maturation Objectives

This proposal is for a parabolic flight campaign that is critical to Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 advancement of current TRL 4 reaction sphere prototypes. The technology is similar to single-axis reaction wheels, but can advantageously provide attitude control in all three degrees of rotational freedom for Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) savings. Reaction spheres will improve the pointing accuracy and stability for small satellite (smallsat) missions requiring long duration imaging and tracking, and for missions experiencing large disturbance torque accumulations. Along with ongoing development efforts, the proposed free-flying experiments in zero-gravity are needed to adequately validate the technology.

This technology went on to win a Tipping Point award in 2015.

Technology Areas (?)

TA05 Communication and Navigation

Problem Statement

No additional information available.

Technology Details

Selection Date

AFO8 (Apr 2014)
Program Status

Completed
Current TRL (?)

TRL 4

Successful FOP Flights

1 Parabolic

Development Team

PI

Alvin Yew
PI Organization

NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center
Co-I

Emory Stagmer
Co-I Organization

Northrop Grumman Corp. (5)
Sponsor

NASA
More Information

NASA Tech Brief (Sept 2015): 3D Motor for Multi-Axis Attitude Control on SmallSats