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PAC REACTION WHEEL�

Plankton Aerosol Cloud Ecosystem (ocean)

A NASA Earth-observing satellite mission that will continue and advance observations of global ocean color, biogeochemistry, and ecology, as well as the carbon cycle, aerosols, and clouds.

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A reaction wheel is a flywheel used to provide attitude control authority and stability on spacecraft. By adding or removing energy from the flywheel, torque is applied to a single axis of the spacecraft, causing it to react by rotating.

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Kristi Barnes

Code 596, GSFC

Category: Engineering

khrissh03@gmail.com

Takoma Academy

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Mentor: Michael Fritsch – Code 596

Assisted by: Carlos Vazquez & Todd Bentley – Code 596

Analyze previous CAD model of reaction wheel and brainstorm ideas for improvement.

  • Design and assemble a GSE (ground support equipment) rack for the PACE reaction wheels.
  • Design and fabricate a bracket that will interface a connector paneal to a printed circuit board.
  • Present sketches to mentors (Fritsch & Vazquez)
  • Create CAD models in Autodesk Inventor and Solid Edge
  • Present model to mentors
  • Critique models
  • Overlay board with drawings to confirm hole locations
  • Send final model to Mr. Todd Bentley for production

Procedure

  • Measure circuit board with caliper
  • Create a CAD model of the circuit board
  • Create a drawing of the circuit board
  • Compare with drawing from Mr. Munther
  • Edit dimensions
  • Look up CAD part models online
  • Assemble RF board in Solid Edge
  • 3D print to check dimensions of parts and assemble

What is ?

What is a reaction wheel ?

Goals

Build

Analyze

Present

Visualization

Design Process

Miniaturized Space GPS Receiver: RF Card

Mentor: Milton Davis – Code 596

Assisted by: Munther Hassouneh – Code 596

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Refining

Conclusion

NASA will place the reaction wheel from this study on the PACE satellite in 2022. Improvements from this study will allow the reaction wheel to have a more efficient assembly. Ultimately this internship provided a chance to adapt to a working professional environment and strengthen academic skills in electrical, thermal, and mechanical engineering.