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CEV Revolutionary Gimballed Thrusters

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the one-of-these-days-alice dept.

simonbp writes "A Tennessee Tech Professor has proposed an innovative gimbal mount for 'inclusion to the design of [NASA's] CEV (Crew Exploration Vehicle), revolutionizing the vehicle's RCS (Reaction Control System) and solar panel orientation capabilities.' This will allow for nimble maneuvering and for the solar cells to maximize power production."

1 of 71 comments (clear)

  1. I work in this lab. by docfreezzzz · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I am a Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate who attends TTU and does research for the department in which this design originated. I work in the lab where the device was first prototyped. Just as an FYI, the device is revolutionary because of the elimination of repetitive structures. Granted the bearing are an issue but the gimble can achieve a full 360 degree spherical change in attitude with only the use of 3 stepper motors. Nothing else does exactly that at this time. That's why the device is interesting to NASA. Think of replacing the current arrangement of 5 motors with just one. Can you say cost savings? Just thought I would post my 2 cents since I have had to demo the device on several occassions and have first hand experience with the mechanism. OUT