Touchdown and launch-lock apparatus for magnetically suspended control moment gyroscope

A control moment gyroscope, comprising:

• a rotor extending along a rotor axis, said rotor having first and second rotor touchdown surfaces at first and second ends thereof, respectively;
• a gimbal housing including means for magnetically suspending said rotor therein to allow rotation of said rotor about said rotor axis;
• first and second touchdown mating surfaces to mate with said first and second rotor touchdown surfaces, respectively, at least one of said first and second touchdown mating surfaces being movably mounted to said gimbal housing;
• bearing means coupled to said gimbal housing to support each of said touchdown mating surfaces so as to define a gap between said first and second touchdown surfaces and said first and second touchdown mating surfaces, respectively, when said magnetic suspension means is operative allowing for rotation of said rotor about said rotor axis, said beating means allowing said rotor and said touchdown mating surfaces supported thereby to rotate when said gap is eliminated by contact of said first and second rotor touchdown surfaces with said first and second touchdown mating surfaces, respectively;
• and
• a motor driven actuator for translating axially said at least one movably mounted touchdown mating surface along said rotor axis to force said first and second rotor touchdown surfaces into contact with said first and second touchdown mating surfaces eliminating said gap, such that said bearing means supports said first and second touchdown mating surfaces allowing said rotor to rotate about said rotor axis.