Reaction Wheels
Reaction wheels are devices used for attitude control of spacecraft. They consist of a spinning wheel mounted on a motor that can change the wheel's speed and direction. By changing the speed and direction of the wheels, the spacecraft can change its orientation without using fuel. Reaction wheels are used to stabilize spacecraft, point instruments, and change the spacecraft's orientation for communication with Earth. They are also used to compensate for external disturbances, such as solar wind and gravity gradients. However, reaction wheels have limited torque and can become saturated, requiring other attitude control methods to be used in conjunction with them.
Your Previous Searches
Random Picks
- Nickel-hydrogen: Nickel-hydrogen (NiH2) is a type of rechargeable battery used in space and astronautical engineering applications. It is a type of electrochemical cell that uses nickel oxide hydroxide and hydrogen as electrodes. The battery has a high ener ... Read More >>
- Filter Coefficients: Filter coefficients are the numerical values that define the behavior of a filter in the frequency domain. In signal processing, filters are used to modify or extract specific features of a signal. The coefficients of a filter determine the ... Read More >>
- Ventilation System: A ventilation system is a set of mechanical components and processes designed to provide fresh air and remove stale air from an enclosed space. In the context of space and astronautical engineering, a ventilation system is an essential comp ... Read More >>
Top News
Check out this interactive map of the early universe, considered largest ever cr...
A team of astronomers have put together the largest, most detailed map of the universe ever created – and you can explore it now....
News Source: USA Today on 2025-06-12
The Vera C. Rubin Observatory is about to totally transform astronomy...
With the ability to scan the entire southern night sky every three days, the huge Vera C. Rubin Observatory could be about to start solving the mysteries of the universe, from dark matter to Planet Ni...
News Source: New Scientist on 2025-06-12
Trump's proposed science cuts will have huge consequences...
The universe will still be there to marvel at, despite brutal cuts set to hit NASA and the National Science Foundation's budgets. But the damage to future research will be long-lasting, says Chanda Pr...
News Source: New Scientist on 2025-06-11
Starlink satellites are leaking radio signals that may ruin astronomy...
Our ability to study faint radio signals from when the first stars began to form is being threatened by SpaceX's Starlink satellites, which seem to be unintentionally leaking radio signals that overpo...
News Source: New Scientist on 2025-06-09
Asteroids around Venus pose possible 'invisible threat' to Earth: Should you be ...
A swarm of large asteroids likely lurking around Venus could one day pose an "invisible threat" to Earth if left unchecked, astronomers have warned....
News Source: USA Today on 2025-06-06