Magnetorquer Rods
NewSpace Systems (NSS)
Magnetic torque actuators using alloy cores and bifilar winding for attitude control and momentum dumping — >7,000 units sold, TRL 9, baselined on >10 constellation programs.
Technical specifications
- TRL
- 9
- First flight
- 2014
- Units sold
- > 7,000
- Constellation baselines
- > 10
- Core material
- Magnetic alloy rod
- Winding
- Bifilar (redundant or combined)
- Interface
- Direct switched power output
- Residual magnetic moment
- Very low
About
NewSpace Systems’ magnetorquer rods control spacecraft attitude by interacting with Earth’s local magnetic field, either standalone or combined with reaction wheels for momentum dumping. The design uses magnetic alloy cores — not air cores — for field amplification, delivering high magnetic moment at reduced power consumption with improved temperature stability. Bifilar winding provides built-in redundancy or combined activation for increased torque output. First flown in 2014, the rods have achieved TRL 9 with over 7,000 units delivered and baselines on more than 10 constellation programs. Custom sizing, magnetic moment, and power configurations are available.
Documentation
No public datasheet yet — request the datasheet / ICD from the supplier.
