Andrews Space and Honeybee Robotics jointlyhas announced that they have entered into an exclusive teaming arrangement to provide control moment gyros for a range of spacecraft sizes.

Under the agreement Andrews Space (Andrews) and Honeybee Robotics (Honeybee) will leverage their respective strengths in systems engineering, spacecraft attitude determination and control technology, spacecraft avionics and mechanism designs to provide three product classes of control moment gyroscopes (CMGs) for nanospacecraft, small and microspacecraft, and large spacecraft applications.

"We are very excited about this partnership that combines our respective strengths to address a market need for smaller cost effective CMG based attitude determination and control solutions," said Jason Andrews, President and CEO of Andrews Space.

Current development activities are focused on the nanospacecraft as well as the small and microspacecraft products using ongoing funded development activities.

"We will have an integrated system prototype of CMGs and control avionics available this summer for spacecraft weighing less than 100kg," continued Andrews. "We are also on track to have a working system sized for small and microspacecraft up and running by Jan 2011."

"Honeybee is pleased to join Andrews in this endeavor. Our like-minded organizations share a passion for innovation, quality and, above all else, customer satisfaction - our CMG product line will exemplify this commitment to excellence," said Kiel Davis, Vice President of Engineering for Honeybee Robotics.

Under the exclusive partnering agreement, Andrews will be responsible for system integration, control avionics and software. Honeybee will be responsible for rotating machinery and other mechanical items. The resulting products will be marketed as a joint Andrews / Honeybee product.