The programme of research reported in this dissertation was undertaken with the aim of improving the high-speed performance of a multi-recessed hydrostatic thrust bearing. A theoretical analysis of the quasi-static behaviour and isothermal frictional power consumption is developed using the basic equations governing viscous fluid flow. The effects of high peripheral speeds are discussed and how recently proposed bearing modifications, in the form of grooved lands and changes in recess geometry, are used to reduce the frictional power consumption, lower operating temperatures, and reduce unwanted hydrodynamic and fluid inertia induced pressure variations. The steady state temperature distribution, frictional power consumption and operating clearance when one bearing member is rotating, and dynamic loading performance are predicted by several specially developed Fortran computer programs. One section concentrates on the design, development and instrumentation of an experimental multi-recessed hydrostatic thrust bearing, which had a facility for changing the pocket geometry using recess inserts. The bearing plate. which had an outside diameter of 200 mm, was operated at rotational speeds between 1000-5000 rpm to give peripheral speeds between 10.5 - 52.5 m/s. A chapter deals with an experimental investigation of the high-speed performance of a multi-recessed hydrostatic thrust bearing, principally the quasi-static loading and flow rate characteristics, temperature and pressure distributions and frictional power consumption. Furthermore, the dynamic response of the test bearing arrangement was investigated experimentally for a range of excitation frequencies between 0- 70 Hz- Finally, the theoretical predictions of characteristics such as quasi-static loading and flow rate, steady state operating conditions and dynamic response are compared with the corresponding experimental results.