{"projectId":91499,"project":{"projectId":91499,"title":"Reaction Sphere","startDate":"2016-01-04","startYear":2016,"startMonth":1,"endDate":"2018-04-01","endYear":2018,"endMonth":4,"programId":65,"program":{"ableToSelect":false,"acronym":"SST","isActive":true,"description":"The Small Spacecraft Technology Program, one of the nine programs in the Space Technology Mission Directorate, has three primary objectives:   Identify and support the development of new subsystem technologies to enhance or expand the capabilities of small spacecraft. The program seeks to develop subsystem technologies that are new and revolutionary in their impact, rather than incremental improvements of existing subsystems. The goal is to advance subsystem technologies from a readiness level of 3 (analytical and experimental critical function and/or characteristic proof of concept) to a readiness level of 5 (component and/or breadboard validation in relevant environment).   Support flight demonstrations of new technologies, capabilities and applications for small spacecraft. The program seeks to demonstrate technologies that are new and capabilities that have not previously been demonstrated in space. The goal is to advance technologies and capabilities from a readiness level of 5 (component and/or breadboard validation in relevant environment) to a readiness level of at least 7 (system prototype demonstration in an operational environment).   Use small spacecraft as platforms for testing and demonstrating technologies and capabilities that might have more general applications in larger-scale spacecraft and systems. The program seeks to contribute to the full range of NASA's science and technology challenges, where demonstrations with small spacecraft can reduce the cost, risk, complexity or time required to advance the state-of-the-art.","programId":65,"responsibleMd":{"organizationId":4875,"organizationName":"Space Technology Mission Directorate","acronym":"STMD","organizationType":"NASA_Mission_Directorate","canUserEdit":false,"locationEdit":false,"organizationRolePretty":"","organizationTypePretty":"NASA Mission Directorate"},"responsibleMdOffice":4875,"stockImageFileId":36659,"title":"Small Spacecraft Technology","acronymOrTitle":"SST"},"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":"<p>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.</p>","releaseStatus":"Released","status":"Completed","viewCount":569,"destinationType":["Earth"],"trlBegin":5,"trlCurrent":7,"trlEnd":7,"lastUpdated":"01/22/26","favorited":false,"detailedFunding":false,"projectContacts":[{"contactId":367491,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Patti","lastName":"Bishop","fullName":"Patti D Bishop","fullNameInverted":"Bishop, Patti D","middleInitial":"D","receiveEmail":"Subscribed_User","projectContactRole":"Principal_Investigator","projectContactId":546522,"projectId":91499,"programContactRolePretty":"","projectContactRolePretty":"Principal Investigator"}],"programContacts":[{"contactId":21,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Christopher","lastName":"Baker","fullName":"Christopher E Baker","fullNameInverted":"Baker, Christopher E","middleInitial":"E","email":"christopher.e.baker@nasa.gov","receiveEmail":"Subscribed_User","programContactRole":"Program_Director","programContactId":145,"programId":65,"programContactRolePretty":"Program Director","projectContactRolePretty":""},{"contactId":409143,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Roger","lastName":"Hunter","fullName":"Roger Hunter","fullNameInverted":"Hunter, Roger","email":"roger.c.hunter@nasa.gov","receiveEmail":"Subscribed_User","programContactRole":"Program_Manager","programContactId":176,"programId":65,"programContactRolePretty":"Program Manager","projectContactRolePretty":""}],"leadOrganization":{"organizationId":4732,"organizationName":"Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation","organizationType":"Industry","city":"Redondo Beach","stateTerritoryId":59,"stateTerritory":{"abbreviation":"CA","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"name":"California","stateTerritoryId":59,"isTerritory":false},"country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"zipCode":"90278","dunsNumber":"118433224","uei":"C778K6FBB7G9","congressionalDistrict":"Maryland 05","projectId":91499,"projectOrganizationId":574351,"organizationRole":"Lead_Organization","canUserEdit":false,"locationEdit":false,"organizationRolePretty":"Lead Organization","organizationTypePretty":"Industry"},"otherOrganizations":[{"organizationId":4732,"organizationName":"Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation","organizationType":"Industry","city":"Redondo Beach","stateTerritoryId":59,"stateTerritory":{"abbreviation":"CA","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"name":"California","stateTerritoryId":59,"isTerritory":false},"country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"zipCode":"90278","dunsNumber":"118433224","uei":"C778K6FBB7G9","congressionalDistrict":"Maryland 05","projectId":91499,"projectOrganizationId":574351,"organizationRole":"Lead_Organization","canUserEdit":false,"locationEdit":false,"organizationRolePretty":"Lead Organization","organizationTypePretty":"Industry"},{"organizationId":4947,"organizationName":"Goddard Space Flight Center","acronym":"GSFC","organizationType":"NASA_Center","city":"Greenbelt","stateTerritoryId":3,"stateTerritory":{"abbreviation":"MD","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"name":"Maryland","stateTerritoryId":3,"isTerritory":false},"country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"zipCode":"20771","projectId":91499,"projectOrganizationId":574352,"organizationRole":"Supporting_Organization","canUserEdit":false,"locationEdit":false,"organizationRolePretty":"Supporting Organization","organizationTypePretty":"NASA Center"}],"primaryTx":{"taxonomyNodeId":11479,"taxonomyRootId":8817,"parentNodeId":11475,"code":"TX17.3.4","title":"Control Force and Torque Actuators","description":"This area covers technologies for space systems onboard force- or torque-producing actuators (both hardware and embedded software) for the six degrees of freedom control of vehicle flight path or attitude. 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