Patent · US Active

Momentum wheels and reaction wheels for objects in space

US12263962B2 · kind B2 · utility

0Cited by
15References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 14, 2023
Grant dateApr 1, 2025
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 14, 2043

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB64G1/66
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A spacecraft has a flat antenna array having an edge and a middle portion. A reconfigurable reaction-momentum wheel is coupled to the antenna array to roll and/or pitch the antenna array in small magnitudes. The reconfigurable reaction-momentum has a reaction operating state or mode (high-torque, low momentum) and a momentum operating state or mode (low-torque, high momentum). A thruster is coupled to the antenna array to move the antenna array.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.