A compact thrust bearing assembly configured to permit limited rotational motion of a first body relative to a second body about a rotational axis, the thrust bearing assembly comprising: a plurality of rigid load-bearing structures arranged in a layered stack, wherein the layered stack defines a first end and an opposed second end; a plurality of rotation-limiting structures, wherein a corresponding rotation-limiting structure of the plurality of rotation-limiting structures is configured to restrict relative rotation of each adjacent pair of rigid load-bearing structures of the plurality of rigid load-bearing structures to at most a threshold adjacent pair angle of rotation, and further wherein the plurality of rotation-limiting structures restricts overall relative rotation between the first end of the layered stack and the second end of the layered stack to at most a threshold stack angle of rotation that is greater than the threshold adjacent pair angle of rotation; a first load-receiving surface on the first end of the layered stack, wherein the first load-receiving surface is configured to receive a first thrust load, which is directed toward the first load-receiving surface, from the first body; and a second load-receiving surface on the second end of the layered stack, wherein the second load-receiving surface is configured to receive a second thrust load, which is directed toward the second load-receiving surface, from the second body, characterised in that each rigid load-bearing structure of the plurality of rigid load-bearing structures includes a projecting region that extends therefrom, wherein each rigid load-bearing structure further includes a recessed region that is defined therein, and further wherein, within each adjacent pair of rigid load-bearing structures, a given projecting region is received within a corresponding recessed region to define a corresponding rotation-limiting structure of the plurality of rotation-limiting structures, wherein said projecting regions extend in a direction that is at least substantially parallel to said rotational axis, from an outer edge of said rigid load-bearing structures, wherein said recessed regions are formed within said outer edge of said rigid load-bearing structures, and wherein said rigid load-bearing structures define a central bore extending between said first end and second end. a plurality of rigid load-bearing structures arranged in a layered stack, wherein the layered stack defines a first end and an opposed second end; a plurality of rotation-limiting structures, wherein a corresponding rotation-limiting structure of the plurality of rotation-limiting structures is configured to restrict relative rotation of each adjacent pair of rigid load-bearing structures of the plurality of rigid load-bearing structures to at most a threshold adjacent pair angle of rotation, and further wherein the plurality of rotation-limiting structures restricts overall relative rotation between the first end of the layered stack and the second end of the layered stack to at most a threshold stack angle of rotation that is greater than the threshold adjacent pair angle of rotation; a first load-receiving surface on the first end of the layered stack, wherein the first load-receiving surface is configured to receive a first thrust load, which is directed toward the first load-receiving surface, from the first body; and a second load-receiving surface on the second end of the layered stack, wherein the second load-receiving surface is configured to receive a second thrust load, which is directed toward the second load-receiving surface, from the second body, characterised in that each rigid load-bearing structure of the plurality of rigid load-bearing structures includes a projecting region that extends therefrom, wherein each rigid load-bearing structure further includes a recessed region that is defined therein, and further wherein, within each adjacent pair of rigid load-bearing structures, a given projecting region is received within a corresponding recessed region to define a corresponding rotation-limiting structure of the plurality of rotation-limiting structures,