Application 317

Satellite Reaction Wheel Torque

Application Summary

One of the more efficient means of satellite attitude control is using reaction wheels. Reaction wheels scale easily making them excellent candidates for attitude control systems in a CubeSat. They create small torque changes necessary to keep a communication antenna pointing at earth or a telescope pointing at a star. By utilizing a micro torque sensor, the response time and torque output of the motor/flywheel can be measured, allowing for precision control loop gains to be established for the PID balancing functions used to stabilize the spacecraft.

 

Products in Use

FUTEK’s QTA141 Micro Reaction Torque Sensor paired with the USB220 High Resolution USB Solution.

 Satellite Reaction Wheel Torque
Torque Sensor - Satellite Reaction Wheel Torque
How it Works
  1. As an electric motor spins a flywheel, the torque generated is used to provide attitude stabilization about the axis the motor is mounted on.
  2. The QTA141 Micro Reaction Torque Sensor is mounted between a brushless DC motor and the wall of the satellite.
  3. As the electric motor spins the flywheel up to the commanded rotational velocity, the resulting torque is reported by the QTA141 Torque Sensor.
  4. The torque generated is used to provide attitude stabilization about the axis the motor is mounted on.
  5. The measured torque is then displayed and recorded with the USB220 via FUTEK’s SENSIT™ software.
Torque Sensor - QTA141 - Micro Reaction Torque Sensor
QTA141
Micro Reaction Torque Sensor
Torque Sensor - USB220 - High Resolution USB Output Module
USB220
High Resolution USB Output Module
 

 


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