Object Details
- Manufacturer
- Martin Marietta
- Summary
- This artifact is a momentum wheel--a device used on a satellite to maintain stable attitude (its position relative to the Earth). A satellite in orbit has a total angular momentum determined by its mass and shape. One or more momentum wheels inside the satellite can be used to maintain a particular momentum or adjust it as needed to maintain satellite stability.
- Inside the casing is a metal wheel, which when in operation can spin at varying rates. Increasing or decreasing the speed of this wheel can be used to adjust the overall momentum of the satellite. A momentum wheel provides an elegant, efficient alternative to reaction rockets, which also may be used to alter a satellite's position.
- Lockheed Martin donated this non-flight artifact to the Museum in 1998.
- Credit Line
- Gift of Lockheed Martin
- Inventory Number
- A19980289000
- Restrictions & Rights
- Usage conditions apply
- Type
- SPACECRAFT-Uncrewed-Guidance & Control
- Materials
- Magnesium Alloy
- Aluminum
- Paint
- Silicone
- Plastic
- Copper Alloy
- Rubber
- Paper
- Ink
- Adhesive
- Gold Plating
- Mylar
- Dimensions
- 3-D: 39.4 × 12.7cm (15 1/2 × 5 in.)
- Storage: 63.2 × 56.2 × 36.5cm (24 7/8 × 22 1/8 × 14 3/8 in.)
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- See more items in
- National Air and Space Museum Collection
- National Air and Space Museum
- Record ID
- nasm_A19980289000
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nv983d6718d-d895-459e-94b7-98663db11d4c
