Agile actuators

A large and powerful avionics actuators range

Airbus offers a range of Control Moment Gyroscopes (CMGs) tailored for diverse satellite needs, ensuring precise agility and high reliability. The CMG 15-45S, 40-60S, and 75-75S are compact and efficient, covering satellite masses from 500 kg to 3 tonnes, with torque outputs up to 75Nm.

Equipped with patented designs and integrated vibration dampers, they deliver fast manoeuvres while minimising power consumption.

Collectively, these CMGs have surpassed 1 million cumulative operational hours in orbit without failures, confirming their long-term durability and mission success for over a decade.

Our research department is continuously working to improve our CMGs, on aspects ranging from optimizing equipment mass to torque performance, resulting in greater agility.

Detumbler

Changing the game for Active Debris Removal

The Detumbler is a small passive device (h53mmØ85mm) which guarantees that a spacecraft will not end up tumbling if it dies in orbit.
It behaves like a tiny induction brake: while keeping the rotor aligned with the Earth’s magnetic field, the device’s small magnets cause eddy currents in the conductive housing, slowly dissipating the satellite’s kinetic energy.

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How does it work?

When the spacecraft is tumbling, the differential angular rates between the device’s housing (attached to the satellite) and the magnetized rotor (locked onto the Earth’s magnetic field) are slowed down by eddy currents caused by the rotor magnets travelling close to the conductive housing.

Our tech against space debris

The future of space sustainability is here. Learn how Airbus’s new Detumbler technology will become the mandatory standard for stopping out-of-control satellites.

Control momentum gyroscope solution

CMG HP

Compact, high-performance designed for agile, large satellites up to 3 tonnes.
The CMG 75-75S (75Nms, 75Nm) delivers 75Nm torque, integrates advanced vibration dampers, and features a patented compact design for efficient satellite operations.

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CMG 40-60S

Control moment gyroscope designed for 1-2 tonne satellites.
It delivers 60Nm torque for precise manoeuvring, features integrated micro-vibration dampers and ensures 10 years of reliable performance in low Earth orbit, enhancing spacecraft agility and accuracy.

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CMG 15-45

Optimised for agile satellites weighing up to 1 tonne.
With 45Nm torque and 15Nms momentum, it delivers 3°/s agility in under 2 seconds, ensuring unmatched reliability for satellites with 10+ years of LEO mission life and a 22 bits angular resolution.

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Control momentum gyro

Newton CMG package

Scalable performance for versatile missions

Singularity-free operation, enhancing agility and precision.
The Newton CMG Package delivers torque capacities from 15 to 75 Nm and momentum storage up to 75 Nms, catering to satellites from 500 kg to over 2 tonnes.

Proven integration and longevity

Optimised for agile Earth observation and high-performance satellite missions.
Equipped with integrated control electronics, the package simplifies satellite system design, providing over 10 years of on-orbit reliability.

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