Feasibility assessment of a magnetically suspended reaction/momentum sphere

The design of reaction and momentum spheres, including all the suitable possibilities allowed by the current state of magnet suspension and propulsion technology was investigated. Particular emphasis was given to repulsive and attractive suspension methods. Hysteresis and induction motors were examined as a method of propulsion. The control properties of a hysteresis motor did not permit continuous thrust regulation. The design of combined thrust/suspension systems was therefore restricted to the repulsive support concept. The design optimization of support and thrust methods in the attractive system led to a total mass of 11 kg. The installed total power amounted to 0.5 kVA. The mass of the repulsive system was about 13.8 kg and the total control unit power amounted to 1.05 kVA. The power consumption of the combined repulsive system was 16.2 W as compared with (22.4 + 2.5 W) for the attractive arrangement under given operational conditions. From a technological point of view the repulsive suspension concept is shown less difficult to implement.