Four RWA-1000 reaction wheels. Photo: PRNewsFoto/Millennium Space Systems

[Via Satellite 03-06-2015] Millennium Space Systems has shipped out their first set of RWA-1000 small satellite reaction wheels to commercial customer Space Systems/Loral (SSL) in Palo Alto, Calif. This first delivery — under a contract from SSL inked four months ago — establishes Millennium’s entry into the commercial space component production market.

The reaction wheels, under exclusive license from Sinclair Interplanetary of Canada, provide key market near-term availability for small, U.S.-made satellite actuators. The RWA-1000 is a 1 Newton-meter second reaction wheel, used to precisely slew and point satellites. Each satellite carries four of the 1-kg units, which are fitted with precisely balanced flywheels and diamond-coated ball bearings. The SSL order for 52 reaction wheels is being manufactured over the next 16 months in Millennium’s new El Segundo, Calif. satellite factory.