High resolution servomotor for space application

RICCIU, ROBERTO;ZACCARIOTTO M;DE CECCO M;DEBEI S.

2006-01-01

---

Abstract

In this paper a custom-built Servo-Motor for space application is presented and discussed. This device was designed for the OSIRIS instrument of the ESA Rosetta spacecraft, scheduled to fly on 2004. The necessity to limit both mass and dimension of the Servo-Motor suggested to design a custom-built system, made up of a “Limited Angle Torque” motor and a high resolution optical encoder. The high ratio between the resolution and the outer diameter of the motor and the particular compactness of the system make the developed Servo-Motor of great interest for its use in space missions and for future industrial production.