Accession Number:

AD0644693

Title:

THREE-AXIS STABILIZATION OF A DUMBBELL SATELLITE BY A SMALL CONSTANT-SPEED ROTOR.

Descriptive Note:

Technical memo.,

Corporate Author:

JOHNS HOPKINS UNIV SILVER SPRING MD APPLIED PHYSICS LAB

Personal Author(s):

• Pisacane,V. L.

Report Date:

1966-10-01

Pagination or Media Count:

26.0

Abstract:

The paper constitutes a preliminary investigation of the feasibility of achieving three-axis stabilization of a dumbbell spacecraft by the use of a small constant-speed rotor. Linearized equations of motion of the system, which provide a design formula for the rotor characteristics, are given. The results of a digital simulation of the nonlinear differential equations of motion of a spacecraft in a sun-synchronous orbit with passive damping and appropriate disturbing torques are also presented. The results indicate that the use of a small constant-speed rotor to achieve yaw stability is a very effective technique. This semi-passive stabilization system should weigh less and provide more accurate stabilization than a configuration with an unsymmetrical inertia ellipsoid. In addition, important roll and yaw damping should be obtained by supporting the rotor housing with an energy dissipator. Author

Descriptors:

• *ATTITUDE CONTROL SYSTEMS
• *ARTIFICIAL SATELLITES
• STABILITY
• SATELLITE ATTITUDE
• FEASIBILITY STUDIES
• EQUATIONS OF MOTION
• MATHEMATICAL MODELS
• SPEED REGULATORS

Subject Categories:

• Unmanned Spacecraft

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE