A high-temperature superconductor energy-momentum control system for small satellites

A method for angular momentum management in flywheel energy storage systems that employ superconducting bearings for spacecraft attitude control is presented. Success with high-temperature superconductor momentum wheels as practical energy storage systems has led to increased interest in their dual function for providing electrical power as well as attitude control of small satellites. The physics of angular momentum management is used to quantify how superconductor magnetic bearing flywheels as electro-mechanical devices serve as both energy storage and angular momentum storage systems within an end-to-end architecture. The result is a compound energy-momentum attitude and electrical power control system for satellites.