Accession Number:

AD0852794

Title:

Some Aspects of the Theory, State of the Art, and Flight Experience of Gravity Gradient Stabilized Vehicles.

Descriptive Note:

Rept. for May-Sep 68,

Corporate Author:

AEROSPACE CORP EL SEGUNDO CA SYSTEMS ENGINEERING OPERATIONS

Personal Author(s):

• Williamson, Robert K.

Report Date:

1968-11-25

Pagination or Media Count:

122.0

Abstract:

It is intended in this report to provide a brief summary of the present status of gravity gradient stabilization of earth satellites. Some aspects of the theory of gravity gradient stabilization are presented. The various configurations and their flight experience where available are described and the hardware unique to gravity gradient stabilized systems is identified. Areas requiring further investigation as a result of flight experience are pointed out. Author

Descriptors:

• *ARTIFICIAL SATELLITES
• STABILIZATION SYSTEMS
• GRAVITY
• DAMPING
• MAGNETIC FIELDS
• ATTITUDE CONTROL SYSTEMS
• MOMENTS
• EQUILIBRIUM(PHYSIOLOGY)
• STABILITY
• SOLAR WIND
• CIRCULAR ORBITS
• EQUATORIAL ORBITS
• SYNCHRONOUS SATELLITES
• STATE OF THE ART
• REPORTS

Subject Categories:

• Unmanned Spacecraft
• Spacecraft Trajectories and Reentry

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE