The BIRD reaction wheel test results

Abstract

Reaction wheels (RW) nowadays are broadly used in small satellites’ attitude control systems (ACS). In the light of the “design to cost” philosophy the BIRD (Bispectral Infrared Detection) small satellite mission it was decided to develop new RW. Design driver besides costs was to equip the RW with internal intelligence. The new reaction wheels were jointly developed by DLR and "Astro- und Feinwerktechnik Adlershof GmbH". The subject dealt with in this paper is the description of tests done to verify the RW parameters and to derive a model for real time and software in the loop simulations. The RW are operated by using special build in commands to set parameters such as angular momentum, torques and power consumption. There are four modes with three different control philosophies behind them ensuring commanded angular momentum and torques to be applied with high precision. The tests were done for the two modes (P-controller and adaptive state controller) relevant for the BIRD attitude control system (ACS).