Analysis of Retainer induced Disturbances of Reaction Wheel

Dynamics of a ball bearing retainer of the reaction wheel is investigated through experimental tests and numerical simulations. Disturbances of normal and abnormal RWs are compared, and then relation between retainer mass imbalances and their dynamics are investigated. As results, a trade-off relation between instability reduction and disturbance reduction is verified and one of the criteria to decide the appropriate mass imbalance is proposed.