100 km Altitude — On the Rotor

Levitate the First Platform

A 15 kg stator platform is magnetically levitated onto the spinning rotor. The platform uses a Halbach array for passive maglev coupling — the rotor's excess centrifugal force supports the platform's weight against gravity. The platform is the anchor point for everything that follows: tethers, payloads, power, and comms.

Specifications

Platform mass15 kg total

Maglev system8 kg Halbach array

Winch3 kg brushless DC

Frame3 kg carbon fiber

Fittings1 kg titanium

Stator support ratio0.04 kg stator per kg rotor

Max platforms at 20T rotor~9 stations

Deflection angle at 20T~19° (stable)

Open Questions

?How is the first platform delivered to the rotor? Separate small launch, or included in the Step 2 payload?
?What's the procedure for initial magnetic coupling? Does the platform approach from above, below, or alongside?
?How does the Halbach array handle the 155 m/s velocity differential (rotor overspeed)?
?What active stabilization is needed beyond passive maglev?

Step 3: Deploy and Spin Up the Rotor Step 5: Lower the First Tether