4 ms·
Does this mean you'd always need three reaction wheels (or possibly just two?) to be able to orient in any direction, or is a single wheel itself able to orient
by detrites 4y ago
Does this mean you'd always need three reaction wheels (or possibly just two?) to be able to orient in any direction, or is a single wheel itself able to orient to face different directions before activation, to achieve the same thing?
- mlyle 4y agoTwo wheels, or a movable wheel, or a "ball" that you can actuate in two directions do it. Of course, you probably also have thrusters (to "spin down the wheels" when they accumulate speed from outside forces), magnetorquers, passive stabilization mechanisms, etc.
- detrites 4y agoMagnetorquers, very interesting - electromagnets that couple with the earth's magnetic field to assist with attitude/stabilisation: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetorquer https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetorquer
- mlyle 4y agoYup. There have even been satellites that have used only passive stabilization--- a permanent magnet + dark/light surfaces that spin it up from photon pressure.
- addaon 4y agoAnd even more entertaining, these are off-the-shelf parts at this point. https://www.cubesatshop.com/product/isis-magnetorquer-board/ https://www.cubesatshop.com/product/isis-magnetorquer-board/