Reaction Wheels Help Maneuver the Cassini-Huygens Saturn Mission
Posted on: Thursday, 18 November 2004, 03:00 CST
Reaction Wheel Assemblies (RWAs)
L-3 Communications Space & Navigation
Budd Lake, NJ
973-446-4000
www.L-3com-com
In 1996, L-3 Communications Space & Navigation supplied NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, CA, with four Reaction Wheel Assemblies (RWAs) that are now being used to stabilize and maneuver the Cassini-Huygens Saturn deep space probe satellite. The RWAs provide reaction torque for pointing and attitude stabilization, and are used on many remote-sensing programs that require high reaction torque and low induced vibration.
The RWAs were activated upon rendezvous with Saturn and entry into its orbit. They are critical to the satellite attitude control system, and the clarity and resolution of the images being generated of Saturn.
The Cassini-Huygens mission will provide valuable scientific data for at least four years, focusing on the study of Saturn, its rings, magnetic field, and icy satellites, including its largest moon, Titan.
For Free Info Visit http://info.ims.ca/3060-117
Copyright Associated Business Publications Nov 2004
Source: NASA Tech Briefs
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