[amsat-bb] Torque Rods or Coils

[Bob Bruninga <bruninga@xxxxxxxx>]

Question about Satellite Torque Rods versus Coils.

It seems to me that what counts in torquing a spacecraft is ampere-turns.
Whether that is in an open coil or wound around a rod of unobtainium are
secondary considerations of size, fit, location and other second order
effects.

It seems the coupling to the earths magnetic field is limited by the
permeability of free space anyway, so there is little advantage to
concentrating the flux in a high permeabiliity open ended rod of
unobtainium except maybe for ease of fitting/mounting..?

Can someone clarify this?
Thanks

de WB4APR@amsat.org, Bob

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