Reaction Sphere

Completed TRL 7 (started at 5, targeting 7)

Description

The Reaction Sphere sought to provide an advancement over traditional reaction wheels by utilizing a new method of three axis attitude control and fine pointing using a lighter and less power consumptive device with less volume required and without the potential for friction wear. The effort was terminated due to technical challenges that precluded success of the design.

Benefits

By utilizing a single mechanism without friction surfaces or bearings to achieve fine pointing and spacecraft attitude control, instead of three or more reaction wheels, the project seeks to reduce weight and volume along with providing increased reliability and mission lifespan.

Details

Technology area	GN&C > Control Technologies > Control Force and Torque Actuators
Program	Small Spacecraft Technology (SST)
Lead organization	Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation, Redondo Beach, CA
Start date	2016-01-04
End date	2018-04-01

Project contacts

Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.

Patti D Bishop

How to get involved

This is a mature technology (TRL 7) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.