Miniature, Variable-Speed Control Moment Gyroscope, Phase I

The overall goal of this project is to design, develop, demonstrate, and deliver a miniature, variable speed control moment gyroscope (MVS CMG) for use on small satellites. Creare's MVS CMG has the potential to revolutionize the design and operation of small satellites (i.e., mass from less than 1 kg up to 500 kg). Currently available CMGs are too large and heavy, and miniature CMGs do not provide sufficient control authority for use on small satellites. This primarily results from the need to greatly increase the speed of rotation of the flywheel in order to reduce the flywheel size and mass. We will achieve this goal by making use of our unique, proprietary, space-qualified, high-speed (>100,000 RPM) motor technology to spin the flywheel at a speed 10 times faster than the only other known miniature CMG under development with comparable control authority. This will enable the fabrication of an MVS CMG with greatly improved performance and smaller size. Creare is particularly well qualified to lead this effort given our considerable and unique past experience in miniaturizing devices for use in important space missions, our firm's longevity, and the space-qualified fabrication facilities that we maintain. More »