The fabrication and test of a dual spin gas bearing reaction wheel

Abstract

The design and fabrication of a dual spin gas bearing reaction wheel are discussed. Numerical analyses, data, and conclusions from performance tests are reported. The unique feature of the reaction wheel is the dual gas bearing concept in which two sets of self-acting hydrodynamic bearing are used to obtain stictionless operation and low noise around zero speed and to accommodate the momentum range from plus 6.8 N-m-s to minus 6.8 N-m-s with the potential for long life inherent in gas bearings