Reinventing the wheel: parabolic flight validation of reaction spheres

This proposal is for a parabolic flight campaign that is critical to Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 advancement of current TRL 4 reaction sphere prototypes. The technology is similar to single-axis reaction wheels, but can advantageously provide attitude control in all three degrees of rotational freedom for Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) savings. Reaction spheres will improve the pointing accuracy and stability for small satellite (smallsat) missions requiring long duration imaging and tracking, and for missions experiencing large disturbance torque accumulations. Along with ongoing development efforts, the proposed free-flying experiments in zero-gravity are needed to adequately validate the technology.
This technology went on to win a Tipping Point award in 2015.

Low-SWAP reaction spheres will improve the ACS performance for a wide range of smallsat missions and may provide higher reliability.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 6) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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