REACTION SPHERE FOR ATTITUDE CONTROL

In the frame of an ESA project, CSEM in collaboration with RUAG has developed an innovative Attitude Orbit Control System concept that relies on a Reaction Sphere. We propose to use one unique reaction sphere playing both the role of ‘reaction sphere’ and (as the angular velocity of the sphere increases) the role of ‘control moment gyro’. Based on analytical models, the expected performances for the selected reaction sphere of 14.1 kg spinning at 6000 rpm are a torque of 6 Nm for 70 W and an angular momentum of 27 Nms. A Reaction Sphere prototype has been manufactured based on an eight pole permanent magnet rotor and a 20 pole stator. Preliminary tests to validate the Reaction Sphere model are currently in progress.