Inertial Energy Storage and Roll Control Module

The Navy has expressed an interest in developing a combined power and roll control module to improve the utilization of the volume within a missile envelope. Combined power and attitude control modules have been proposed before for orbiting spacecraft with emphasis on high specific energies (kJ/lb). The application of this technology to missiles demands emphasis on achieving a high energy density (kJ/in3) in conjunction with a relatively high torquing capability. However, the power requirements are incompatible with the torque requirement if a simple motor/generator, reaction wheel approach is adopted. The proposal here outlines a program for attacking this challenging problem and presents a viable solution for achieving the desired goals. The component technologies for a successful design do exist. In fact SatCon Technology Corporation is fabricating a 65.4 kJ/Ib carbon fibre flywheel unit storing 8.0 NJ of energy and delivering attitud.e control torques for large spacecraft. Integrating these technologies into a volume constrained package requires an in depth knowledge of flywheel energy storage/retrieval, power conditioning and attitude control techniques. Phase I program will conduct a technology assessment, design a module and evaluate expected performance. Phase II program will build, test and deliver a prototype model.