Rethinking Orthogonal Reaction Wheel Configurations for Small Satellites
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Authors
King, Jeffery T.
Karpenko, Mark
Subjects
Advisors
Date of Issue
2017
Date
2017
Publisher
American Astronomical Society
Language
Abstract
Rigid-body agility is limited by the maximum torque and orientation of the reaction wheels. Maximizing the inscribed sphere of the torque envelope can underestimate the true capability of the system because spacecraft inertia properties are not considered. We show that simple reorientation of the reaction wheel assembly while maintaining orthogonality can increase agility while maintaining spherical acceleration limits. This paper utilizes the associated concept of the agility envelope to develop analytical equations for finding ideal reaction wheel orientations that provide up to 40% more capability than conventional methods. The equations and corresponding design curves are presented for typical small satellites.
Type
Conference Paper
Description
27th Annual AIAA/AAS Space Flight Mechanics Meeting, San Antonio, TX, 2017
Series/Report No
Department
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE)
Organization
Naval Postgraduate School
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
Format
16 p.
Citation
J.T. King, M. Karpenko, Rethinking orthogonal reaction wheel configurations for small satellites, in: 27th Annual AIAA/AAS Space Flight Mechanics Meeting, San Antonio, TX, 2017.
Distribution Statement
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.