Title :
Spacecraft flywheel systems-benefits, and issues
Author :
Pieronek, Thomas J. ; Decker, D. Kent ; Spector, Victor A.
Author_Institution :
TRW Inc., Redondo Beach, CA, USA
Abstract :
Flywheels are electro-mechanical energy storage devices. Recent developments in magnetically levitated composite flywheels have produced systems with specific energies in excess of 20 watt-hours/pound. When compared with nickel-hydrogen battery technology, flywheels offer significant weight savings as an energy storage media for spacecraft. Additional weight savings are possible if the flywheel hardware can also be used for on-board attitude control and momentum management. This paper explores the challenges which accompany the insertion of flywheel systems into spacecraft power and attitude control subsystems
Keywords :
aerospace control; attitude control; flywheels; magnetic levitation; space vehicle power plants; electro-mechanical energy storage devices; energy storage media; magnetically levitated composite flywheels; momentum management; on-board attitude control; spacecraft flywheel systems; spacecraft power subsystems; specific energies; weight savings; Aerospace electronics; Batteries; Energy storage; Flywheels; Low earth orbit satellites; Magnetic levitation; NASA; Space technology; Space vehicles; US Department of Defense;
Conference_Titel :
Aerospace and Electronics Conference, 1997. NAECON 1997., Proceedings of the IEEE 1997 National
Conference_Location :
Dayton, OH
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-3725-5
DOI :
10.1109/NAECON.1997.622703
