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):
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:
Subject Categories:
- Unmanned Spacecraft