Flywheel Components for Satellite Applications

The following paper studies the possibilities of using high-speed flywheels with magnetic bearings in communications spacecraft. Hardware point designs have been completed for a very low drag bearing and a very efficient, compatible motor generator. Using the results of these designs, a tradeoff study compares these flywheels with combinations of NiCd batteries, NiH2 batteries, and conventional low-speed momentum wheels. Section I presents the tradeoff studies for flywheels used for energy storage only, for attitude control only, and for combined energy storage and attitude control. The results show that such wheels look excellent for attitude control alone (as high-speed, high-reliability momentum wheels) and attractive for combined power and attitude control, but not much better than NiH2 for power alone.