The invention provides a reconfigurable reaction wheel for a spacecraft, a
spacecraft, and a method of using the reconfigurable reaction wheel to
control the movement of a spacecraft. The reaction wheel includes a
reaction wheel housing, a flywheel rotatably disposed in the housing and
an electric motor operably coupled to the flywheel. The electric motor
includes a plurality of electrical windings. The motor is adapted and
configured to operate in a first selectable operating state wherein the
windings are arranged in a first electrical configuration, and a second
selectable operating state wherein the windings are arranged in a second
electrical configuration different from the first electrical
configuration.