Torque Saturation

Torque saturation is a phenomenon that occurs in spacecraft attitude control systems when the available torque from the reaction wheels or control moment gyros reaches its maximum limit. When this happens, the attitude control system is unable to generate any additional torque, which can lead to a loss of control of the spacecraft. This can occur due to a variety of factors, including changes in the spacecraft's mass or moments of inertia, or changes in the external environment, such as solar wind or magnetic fields. To prevent torque saturation, spacecraft attitude control systems are designed with sufficient redundancy and margin to ensure that there is always enough torque available to maintain control of the spacecraft.
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