Questions tagged [magnetorquer]
Questions regarding devices which use an external magnetic field to produce a torque, usually used to help align a spacecraft in a certain manner while in orbit.
19
questions
16
votes
5answers
23k views
Can magnets be used to launch spacecraft?
I assume there is some reason we don't use magnets to launch off Earth.
Are they not strong enough? Isn't magnetic force technically stronger than gravity??
Would either of these work:
A tube tunnel ...
16
votes
2answers
9k views
What is the math behind Magnetorquers?
I'm trying to better understand the mathematics behind how torque rods work. I know that even if you have 3 axis of magnetic torquers, in effect there is only 2 axis of control, and I'm trying to ...
10
votes
1answer
2k views
Would magnetic torquers placed in a polar satellite work?
Would magnetic torquers placed in a polar satellite keep the satellite stable?
If it would work, would it be very efficient?
8
votes
2answers
776 views
Could Magnetorquers be used on the ISS?
The way that the ISS manages it's attitude now is to use a set of reaction wheels for primary control, and occasionally firing small thrusters to allow the wheels to despin themselves. This isn't ...
8
votes
1answer
225 views
Have Magnetorquers been used anywhere outside of the Earth?
On Earth, small satellites often include Magnetorquers. A magnetorquer allows the satellite to re-orient itself without using fuel in a way more permanent than magnets.
While not every planet has a ...
7
votes
1answer
512 views
Could an articulated permanent magnet work as a low-power cubesat magnetotorquer? Problems?
Conventional magnetotorquers for cubesats are electromagnets that produce torque in the Earth's magnetic field, and nearly all of the power they use just heats the copper through $\text{I}^2 \text{R}$ ...
7
votes
1answer
298 views
Could a magnetorquer be used in orbit around Mars?
One way to align a spacecraft into a certain manner while in orbit around a body is the use a Magnetorquer. Does Mars have enough of a magnetic field to allow such a device to operate?
7
votes
1answer
1k views
Will this magnetorquer configuration effectively desaturate a reaction wheel?
I'm trying to run a Matlab simulation for desaturation of a reaction wheel using magnetorquers.
But there is still something that I'm not entirely sure of :
I know that when the reaction wheel ...
5
votes
1answer
138 views
What is the formula for the gain factor of a ferromagnetic core for a torquer coil rod?
I am an undergraduate who is currently designing an actuation system for a CubeSat, more specifically a PCB magnetorquer. (with 2 ferromagnetic core coils and one air core)
I made an excel sheet that ...
4
votes
2answers
386 views
How do we manage the residual magnetic moment of magnetorquer with a ferromagnetic core?
I'm currently working on a control algorithm, specifically in detumbling, for a 3U cubesat. I'm using magnetorquers for actuation and magnetometers to receive feedback. If I have no current passing ...
4
votes
1answer
315 views
Effect of permanent magnet and solid core magnetorquer on magnetometer reading
Permanent magnet as passive stabilization and magnetorquer with solid core as active stabilization has been used over the year in satellites.But the would have magnetic field lines, wouldn't they ...
4
votes
1answer
446 views
Relation between air-core and ferromagnetic solenoid -core magnetorquers and measurement of dipole moment
I am going to be using air coil magnetorquers for a satellite development project. These air coil magnetorquers come embedded in solar panels. I am currently using this magnetorquer , it's a solar ...
3
votes
1answer
68 views
Have magnetotorquers ever been used to spin-up a satellite?
Magnetotorquers are often used for momentum dumping of reaction wheels in smallsats, and they can use them as well for attitude control directly, per answers to Are there any modern cubesats or ...
2
votes
1answer
649 views
Ways to measure dipole moment of magnetorquer
As the title states, I am trying to find a way to measure the dipole moment(m) for my magnetorquer.
I am planning to use magnetorquers for desaturating my reaction wheels for a project. I understand ...
2
votes
0answers
40 views
Why are Hubble's magnetorquers angled?
Watching a video on how Hubble attitude control works I saw one portion on magnetorquers. It has four for redundancy but they are angled in a way that looks awkward from a packaging viewpoint, so what ...
1
vote
2answers
79 views
Are there any modern cubesats or smallsats that have relied only on magnetotorquers for attitude control?
This comment got me thinking...
Question: Are there any modern cubesats or smallsats that have relied only on magnetotorquers for attitude control, sans reaction wheels or thrusters?
Ideally an ...
1
vote
2answers
186 views
Will there be torques on spacecraft due to interaction of magnetic torquer with the residual magnetic field of the spacecraft?
Assuming the magnetorquer and the field generating electronics are both rigidly fixed to the spacecraft cube. Reference to any supporting papers/articles would be great. Thanks.
Would the residual ...
1
vote
0answers
63 views
How magnetorquers desaturate reaction wheel? [duplicate]
I am looking for a solution to solve problem of reaction wheel saturation. I am going to use magnetorquers as actuator for desaturation. Any one who can guide me in this respect?
0
votes
0answers
73 views
I'm confused on why we can't magnet idea to propel ship to space [duplicate]
when we put two magnets together they push each other apart. So why can't we use the same concept with the magnetic field and a man made magnet?
