NCTR-M002 Magnetorquer Rod
$1200
Magnetorquers offer a method of controlling the attitude of a spacecraft. This can be achieved either directly, by interacting with the local Earth’s magnetic field, or in combination with reaction wheels where they allow a method of dumping excess momentum in the wheels without the need for a complex propulsion system.
The use of a magnetic alloy rod produces an amplification effect over an air cored magnetorquer. This allows a system that uses less power, which is critical for CubeSat missions. The rods can enable a mission with increased manoeuvrability and reduced detumble rates.
CubeSat Magnetorquer rods are designed to be run directly from a switched 5 Volt power output from the on-board power control system.
- Features
- Performance
- Product properties
- Qualification
- Documents
- Applications:
- Active damping for spin stabilized, momentum biased and gravity gradient controlled CubeSats
- Momentum dumping of reaction wheels in three axis stabilized spacecraft
- Low cost standard product
- High moment for low power
- Small size and low mass
- Simple interface
- No residual magnetic moment
- Magnetic moment: > 0.2 Am2
- Linearity: Better than +/- 5% across operating design range
- Residual moment: <0.001 Am2
- Operating range: -35°C to +75°C
- Power: 200mW from 5V supply
- Random vibration: 14g rms
- Lifetime: >10 years
- Dimensions: 70mm (length) x 9 mm (diameter)
- Overall Diameter: < 9 mm
- Mounting: tied and bounded direct to PCB
- Mass: < 30 g
- Interfaces: Coil wires solder direct to PCB pads
- Operating range: -35°C to +75°C
The larger NSS magnetorquer rods were first flown in 2014 on the SaudiSat-4 and DX-1 missions. Since then, this product line has been delivered to a large number of international missions, all with differing performance requirements. To date, more than one hundred and fifty CubeSat rods have also been delivered.