The objective of the electromagnetically levitated stable platform (esp) effort is the development of a compact and flexible two-axes stabilized sensor platform for manned observations of the earth or sky from space utilizing aura systems' unique electromagnetic levitation technology. Esp represents the first application of electromagnetic levitation technology to a stabilized platform specifically designed for manned optical observations. As a result of this innovative application of state-of-art technology which aura systems is pioneering, the stability characteristics of esp would significantly exceed those of the best stabilized platforms currently available. Active, electromagnetically levitated bearings are used to provide the friction-free operation necessary to implement a two- axes stabilized platform without vibrational coupling mechanisms (bearing friction and stiction) which otherwise allow the host vehicle's angular motions to disturb the sensor's line-of-sight (los).
