Feasibility and design of miniaturized Control Moment Gyroscope for a 3-axis stabilized Micro Satellite

Abstract: In this thesis, a feasibility study will be conducted in order to determine if the usage of acontrol moment gyroscope is a possibility for a micro satellite as its attitude control. Thegoal is to conclude if gyroscopes are suitable replacements for the current reaction wheelswhich are acting as the attitude control for the satellite. In the first part of the thesis thegeneral function of the control moment gyroscope and three different types of arrangementsare displayed with all their respective advantages and disadvantages. Then one ofthem will be designed to fit within the restrictions of 1U. The full design of the pyramidconfiguration was chosen due to its compact size and spherical angular momentum envelope.The full design contains all the components such as motors, flywheels, mounts,frame, screws etc. which provide a cost estimate which is a huge input in determiningthe feasibility of this thesis. In the future the manufacture of the pyramid configurablecontrol moment gyroscopes shall be tested in the future with a more advanced steeringlaw in order to determine the full potential of the attitude control system.