Vacuum Rated Motors Have Been Successfully Installed At:
Empire Magnetics
Space Heritage
Vacuum
Our Space Heritage
A brief history of Empire Magnetics products in space
For over 30 years Empire Magnetics has provided electric motors and motor assemblies for space equipment and aerospace applications. During this time we have developed significant relationships with organizations including: NASA, Space Sciences Laboratory at UC Berkeley, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Anteon, Space Dynamics Laboratory, Space Systems Loral, European Space Agency, and SAIC. Our products can be found on the International Space Station, global satellites, space shuttles, and in space labs and testing facilities around the world.
Due to the confidential nature of many of our partners and their projects, we are unable to share many details. Following is a timeline of a few highlights:
1986
After the Space Shuttle Challenger...
crashed, Morton Thiokol contracted with Empire Magnetics to provide motors for the pentameters (devices to measure the O-rings while sitting on the launch pads). We delivered a system that functioned without presenting an explosion hazard resulting from the rocket fuel vapors
1987
Empire Magnetics provided a set of motors...
for the vacuum test chambers at the Marshal Space Flight Center. These vacuum-prepared motors were incorporated into the test equipment used to qualify other products for vacuum compatibility. This equipment was funded via the Smithsonian Institute.
1990
Boeing hired Empire Magnetics to build...
a set of motors with gearboxes and brakes, all carefully specified with space flight requirements. We believe they may have been used for the docking ring on the International Space Station; however, Boeing never revealed the specific function, and we never asked!
1992
For NASA’s Wake Shield Lab Module...
, (http://www.uh.edu/svec/wsfp-desc.html). Empire Magnetics provided a gear motor assembly that was part of the momentum control system. This assembly was launched, orbited and recovered on three different occasions. There was no maintenance required to our motor assemblies between launches. Joe Pineda, the project engineer, even called to thank us before he retired.
1994
When Hughes Aircraft needed vacuum motors...
to test a DOE satellite, they turned to Empire Magnetics Inc. In order to support a nonstop seventy-day tumble test we developed a liquid nitrogen cooled assembly that worked flawlessly.
1995
When the European Space Agency built...
the long wave X-ray telescope, Thales Alenia Space, built the craft, while Bicron was contracted to build the calibration system for the scintillators. Empire Magnetics provided the motors that move the cesium sources across the face of these sensors to keep them calibrated. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infrared_Space_Observatory
1998
Corning OCA was tasked with finding motors...
that would operate at -200 C and survive 25 G shock loads for the Brilliant Eyes program. Empire Magnetics supplied units that passed all the tests.
1999
For the Japanese communications B Sat II satellite...
built by Orbital Space Systems, engineers needed a small actuator that would operate during launch. Due to the G forces it had to be exceptionally stiff. Empire Magnetics designed and built a custom linear actuator using a double ended screw combined with a hollow shafted motor. This arrangement put all the thrust loads on the screw, so the motor only needed enough torque to turn the screw. This resulted in a light weight system that solved the problem.
2000/2002
Goodrich used sets of custom versions...
of Empire Magnetics size 17 stepper motors for two sets of satellites.
2000
Via Preece Inc came to Empire Magnetics...
for a set of motor gearbox assemblies to be used in the human habitation area of the International Space Station (ISS). These gear motor assemblies control fluid flows in the lab modules. (See photos.)
2001
Hughes Aircraft needed to tumble...
a large satellite in a vacuum chamber that had to run nonstop for 70 days. Empire Magnetics designed and built a motor gearbox assembly cooled with liquid nitrogen to do the job.
2002
Anteon International need a highly accurate...
turntable for a satellite test at cryogenic temperatures in a vacuum environment. Using a magnetic drive for the feedback resolver, we solved the problem of dimensional change over the temperature range. This allowed angular position to be measured to better than .008 degrees. (See photo.)
2005
NASA’s JPL purchased a test motor...
from Empire Magnetics for proof of concept for a gas sampler to be used on a voyage to Saturn’s moon Titan. The test motor ran successfully for 6 months at cryogenic temperature in vacuum.
2014
For Angelicvm (Chile), we designed...
and built motor gearbox assemblies intended for a moon rover. (See photos)
2015
Installed on the exterior of the International Space Station...
the hatch covers of NASA’s Cloud-Aerosol Transport System, (CATS) Lidar remote-sensing instrument are activated with motors built by Empire Magnetics.
2017
Empire Magnetics shipped motors...
and gearboxes to be installed in the new NIRAC camera scheduled for installation on the International Space Station in Feb. 2018. (See photo)
Also named Top Cryogenic Company of 2022
“The specific construction of the magnetic circuit is one of the key design features of a successful cryogenic motor – at which Empire Magnetics takes a lead”
read more..
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Empire Magnetics offers:
- Stepper Motors
- Servo Motors
- Gearboxes
- Resolvers
- Stand Alone Resolvers
- Brakes
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Government Projects & Defense Applications
Empire Magnetics has been awarded and completed US Navy contracts in excess of $100,000 as a prime contractor. The Cage code number assigned was OYMU1, CEC code 19665900H. As a subcontractor to RSI/Comsat, SAIC, Lockheed Martin, Westinghouse, General Electric and other prime contractors for the US Government, contracts in excess of $200,000 have been awarded and completed.
Nationwide & International Distributors for Specialty Motors & Complete Motor System Solutions
Empire Magnetics products are distributed by a nationwide and international network of motion control sales professionals. Your local distributor carries the drives and controls, and the accessories needed to build a complete motion control system.