Engineering Project: Design and Development of a Prototype Reaction Wheel

Institute

Lehrstuhl für Astrodynamik (TUM-ED)

Type

Bachelor's Thesis /

Content

 

Description

Reaction wheels are important actuators in spacecraft attitude control systems (ACS). They enable continuous and precise torque generation without the consumption of propellant, making them essential for long-duration missions and small satellite platforms.
This project focuses on the end-to-end development of a laboratory-scale reaction wheel suitable for small satellite applications. The project spans the full engineering chain from requirements definition to experimental validation. Particular emphasis is placed on the interaction between mechanical design, electronics, and control system development.
The goal is to design, build, and experimentally validate a functional reaction wheel prototype that can be used as a testbed for spacecraft attitude control research and education.
Before applying, please read the following task description and necessary prerequisites carefully. If you are interested in the project and feel like you are a good fit, send a short motivational statement (max 1 page), a tabular CV, a current transcript and a description/list of any relevant projects you previously took part in to supervision.coa<script>document.write('@');</script>

<noscript>(at)</noscript>ed.tum.de. This project is intended for 2-3 students. Therefore, feel free to apply either as a group or individually.

Requirements

• Derivation of system requirements based on a representative spacecraft use case in the lab
• Mechanical design of the reaction wheel assembly (flywheel, shaft, bearings, housing, etc.)
• Selection and integration of motor, sensors, and electronics
• Design and implementation of low-level motor control and basic flywheel speed/torque control
• Development of a laboratory test setup to characterize and validate system performance
• Experimental validation of the prototype and comparison with analytical models
• Documentation of the design process, testing results, and lessons learned
The project will follow formal engineering processes, including basic project management and
systems engineering practices (e. g., requirements tracking and documentation using InnoSlate
or something similar).

Possible start

sofort

Contact

Silvia Busi
silvia.busitum.de

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