Reaction wheel for spacecraft attitude control
STAR Contract n0.188/2017
The project RWSAC aims the development of a reaction wheel assembly for attitude control in spacecrafts by spinning-in proven technologies towards space applications. Although having a relative simple operating principle, reaction wheels are intrinsically complex due to special restrictions imposed by their applicability to space missions: high reliability requirements, close to 100% duty cycle, mechanical wear, provisions for lubrication in vacuum, high precision for balancing at high rotational speed, mitigation of potential defects at launch etc. Tackling this problems will increase the know how in the consortium beyond the product being developed, while expanding the existing abilities, skills, qualifications and methodologies applicable to most of the space related activities of the entities involved.