Design and Development of a Micro Satellite Attitude Control System Testing

To stay in-sync with the ever shrinking spacecraft footprint, development of compatible attitude control systems is a key problem for space system development and design. Small satellite platforms are to enable key science and technology objectives in the near future. To this end, a variety of options have recently been made available by utilizing novel Carpal wrist joint mechanisms (known as the "Canfield Joint") as the 3 DOF gimbal for control moment gyro momentum management. By placing a control moment gyroscope on the wrist joint, we can develop a singularity free solution to change the angular momentum of a spacecraft. We propose a pair of Canfield gimbal mounted CMGs as a unified attitude control solution for small spacecraft (called the Micro Satellite Attitude Control - MSAC system). Experimental demonstrations will show the efficacy of the MSAC system.

This attitude control technology for small satellites will benefit the commercial space industry and future NASA missions.

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