Space Mechanisms (SADA, Gimbals, Rotary Actuators)
Moog Space Defense Group
Moog's space mechanisms portfolio: Solar Array Drive Assemblies with 40+ years heritage, dual-axis thruster gimbals for EP systems, zero-backlash rotary actuators, and biaxial pointing gimbals for antennas and instruments.
Technical specifications
- SADA — Type 3/5
- Single-axis solar array drive; 40+ year heritage
- SADA — Small Satellite SADE
- 0.8 kg; 22–34 VDC; RS-422; 88.9×101.6×48.3 mm; 50 kRad TID
- Thruster Gimbal (Model T)
- Dual-axis EP thruster pointing; GEO orbit-raise and station-keeping
- Type 55 Biaxial Gimbal
- Dual-axis antenna/instrument pointing; output bearings carry structural loads
- Rotary Actuator Type 3
- 38,400 steps/rev; 160:1 harmonic drive; 350 lb-in output torque; 4.2 lb; 14 W
- Micro-3 Rotary Actuator
- Ultra-compact; zero backlash; permanent magnet stepper
- Optical Filter Wheel
- Heritage: Hubble WF/PC, Cassini, Hayabusa I/II; up to 48 filter positions
- Linear Actuators
- Cryogenic fine-positioning; 3-phase PMPM stepper for instrument pointing
- Heritage
- Apollo, Pioneer, Cassini, Hubble, Galileo (navigation), Europa Clipper, Gateway
About
Moog has manufactured precision space mechanisms for 45+ years, with heritage extending from Apollo and Pioneer to current satellite programs. The Solar Array Drive Assembly (SADA) family spans single-axis Type 3/5, dual-axis side-drive (Type 2), and small-satellite variants, all transferring power through slip rings while providing accurate solar panel positioning. The Small Satellite Solar Array Drive Electronics (SADE) unit at 0.8 kg provides stepper-motor control on 22–34 VDC with RS-422 interface and 50 kRad TID tolerance. The Thruster Gimbal Assembly (TGA) family — Models M, S and T — provides 2-axis pointing for electric propulsion thrusters on GEO orbit raising and station-keeping missions, supporting Xe, arc-jet, and bipropellant thrusters with hundreds of units in flight. The Type 55 Biaxial Gimbal Assembly supports antenna and instrument pointing with a dual-axis architecture that carries all structural loads through output bearings. The rotary actuator family (M8, Type 1/2/3/5, Micro-3, HT-1) uses harmonic drive and multi-stage reduction for zero-backlash precision positioning; the Type 3 model provides 38,400 steps/revolution with 350 lb-in output torque. Optical Filter Wheel Assemblies have heritage on Hubble, Cassini, and JAXA Hayabusa missions.
Documentation
No public datasheet yet — request the datasheet / ICD from the supplier.