Analysis and Validation of Micro-Vibrations Produced by Unbalance Mass of Reaction Wheel Actuator Using Kistler Table

In this paper, sources of micro-vibration in a reaction wheel assemblies (RWA) are analyzed in detail and their effects arising from flywheel unbalance are tested based on the related equations and by using Kistler table in Space Thruster Institute. RWAs that are used in satellites to control their situations are the major sources of instabilities leading to disturbances in the performance of instruments with high pointing precision. Thus, for the purpose of successful satellite missions, it is important to identify, study, and reduce these sources. To align with this goal, flywheel was balanced according to the equations and the requirements of the ECSS European Space Standard before assembling on the Kistler test table. With the step of 1Hz of rotation frequency, force and torque details were obtained and plotted in waterfall diagrams. These led to the verification of values obtained for static and dynamic unbalances on the graphs. The values achieved for the static and dynamic unbalances were 0.1 and 0.2gr.cm2, respectively.