Reaction wheels exhibit dominant magnetic field emissions that shall be reduced to allow the reaction wheel use on magnetically susceptible missions without negative impact on scientific objectives. Conventional reaction wheels use brushless DC motors with relatively high magnetic flux densities in large air gaps without any dedicated compensation or 'magnetic balancing' of the motor magnets. The motor external magnetic field together with contributions from further components, (ball bearings), combine to a significant magnetic dipole moment.

Background and justification:

There is a need within the space sector of medium to high resolutions rotatory position sensors suitable for low cost, space qualified and off-the-shelf solutions. The developed sensor could be used for SADM, optical pointing mechanisms, antennas drive mechanism among others.

As recognised by the Future Technology Advisory Panel report "FTAP | First Cycle, Final Report 2012", " system studies and technology developments are recommended to be undertaken to mature the concepts" for large ultra-stable deployable structures. A Working Group was established to identify needs and state of the art for "Ultra Stable Deployable Structures" for Science and Earth Observation missions, producing a white paper (TEC-SB/0063/DB, issue1) identifying a possible roadmap for a development up to TRL5.

The pyrotechnics initiators powder ,MIRA is under REACH concern. As of the 21/09/2017, the Ammonium Dichromate which is contained inside MIRA powder, will not be authorised anymore. Thus, Roxel, the manufacturer of MIRA, will not supply anymore the powder. The MIRA is used on-board Ariane5 (igniters, detonators, squibs) and on-board satellite pyro valves. In addition to the REACH issue, it shall be noticed that the lifetime of the MIRA is 12 years maximum. It is therefore mandatory to identify an alternative to replace the MIRA to solve both the REACH and the life time issue.

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Arquimea suggests a new HDRA (REACT) base on a novel SMA material (SMARQ) with increased temperature performance capabilities able to overcome the current temperature limitations of similar devices. REACT can work in the range of temperatures of -60ºC to 120ºC with a minimum preload of 100N. Other important advantages of the proposed technology are its lightweight, high force to weight ratio and low volume, which makes it especially attractive in space applications.