CubeSats and small satellites are emerging as low-cost tools to performastronomy, exoplanet searches and earth observation. These satellites can bededicated to pointing at targets for weeks or months at a time. This istypically not possible on larger missions where usage is shared. Currentsatellites use reaction wheels and where possible magneto-torquers to controlattitude. However, these actuators can induce jitter due to various sources. Inthis work, we introduce a new class of actuators that exploit radiometricforces induced by gasses on surface with a thermal gradient. Our work showsthat a CubeSat or small spacecraft mounted with radiometric actuators canachieve precise pointing of few arc-seconds or less and avoid the jitterproblem. The actuator is entirely solid-state, containing no moving mechanicalcomponents. This ensures high-reliability and long-life in space. A preliminarydesign for these actuators is proposed, followed by feasibility analysis of theactuator performance.
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