RTX’s (NYSE: RTX) small satellite manufacturer and mission services provider, Blue Canyon Technologies, earlier this month introduced their largest reaction wheel to date, the RW16 reaction wheel—a reaction wheel is a motor-driven flywheel that enables attitude control by applying torque to a spacecraft without the need for external propulsion.
The new RW16 reaction wheel offers 16 Newton-meter seconds of momentum, providing low-jitter attitude control for spacecraft 400 kg and larger. The RW16’s higher momentum allows torque to be commanded for longer durations enabling larger spacecraft to take advantage of this technology or augmenting existing spacecraft to support larger or even multiple payloads.
More than 800 Blue Canyon reaction wheels have launched, many operating on the 70-plus spacecraft built by Blue Canyon. Each reaction wheel features an advanced lubrication system for long life, a built-in vibration isolation system for ultra-low disturbance, and a state-of-the-art digital control system for exquisite torque and momentum accuracy.
The company’s suite of reaction wheels has supported successful missions in dynamic environments and in multiple orbital classifications, including interplanetary journeys, demonstrating on-orbit operation for more than eight years.
Blue Canyon was founded to enable missions that otherwise wouldn’t be possible because of the price point and long schedules,” said Chris Winslett, general manager of Blue Canyon Technologies. “Our new reaction wheel provides exceptional dependability at a value that makes sense for our customers, paving the way for the design and production of larger, more advanced spacecraft.”
About Blue Canyon Technologies
Blue Canyon Technologies, RTX’s small satellite manufacturer and mission services provider, offers a diverse portfolio of innovative, reliable and affordable spacecraft and components that enable a broad range of missions and technological advancements for the new space economy. The company currently supports numerous unique missions with more than 160 spacecraft orders.