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Magnetic torquers are
used on most low-earth orbiting spacecraft for attitude control. Due to their
iron core, they are one of the heaviest components on the spacecraft and their
linear output range is limited by the natural magnetic saturation. The design
of these components has changed very little since the beginning of the space
program. Microcosm developed an innovative torquer system concept to linearize
torquer output and, consequently, significantly reduce mass for a given level
of control torque. For example, the proposed system can reduce the mass of
three 500 Am2 torquers used on a 1000 kg satellite by a total of 6
kg (for 0.9m length) to 12 kg (for 0.5m length). The system consists of a
feedback signal which corrects for hysteresis saturation effects. This
translates into enhanced performance, that can provide greater control
authority or, for a given level of control, reduce the system mass.
Additionally, the feedback system lowers the residual dipole moment.
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