BUBBLE LEVELS AS ATTITUDE SENSORS IN SATELLITES,

reportActive / Technical Report | Accession Number: AD0430199 | Need Help?

Abstract:

A fluid level is investigated as a means of sensing the local vertical of an attitude stabilized satellite. Such an instrument acts in a manner very similar to a pendulum with low friction. The time constant of the instrument is calculated and errors of the local vertical due to dynamic accelerations are analyzed. It is found that the primary errors in an attitude stabilized satellite are caused by angular accelerations. An angular accelerometer is described which can be used in conjunction with the bubble level to calculate the direction of the local vertical instantaneously. Without this angular accelerometer the bubble level can be used to indicate the long term average attitude of the satellite. Author

Author(s):
Gutman, A. S.
Author Organization(s):
AEROSPACE CORP EL SEGUNDO CALIF
Annotation:
Bubble levels as attitude sensors in satellites.
Pagination:
0037

Security Markings

DOCUMENT & CONTEXTUAL SUMMARY

Distribution:
Approved For Public Release

RECORD

Collection: TR
Identifying Numbers
Report Number(s):
TDR2694513 10 3, SSD-TDR-63-373
Contract/Grant Number(s):
AF04 695 269
Monitor Series:
TDR-63-373
 Subject Terms
Modernization Areas:
Space
Communities of Interest:
Space
Descriptor(s):
*ATTITUDE INDICATORS, *HORIZONTAL INDICATORS, BUBBLES, SATELLITE ATTITUDE, VERTICAL INDICATORS, ARTIFICIAL SATELLITES, ACCELEROMETERS, INSTRUMENTATION, CIRCULAR ORBITS, GRAVITY, MONITORS
Keyword(s):
BUBBLE LEVELS
Report Date:
1964 Jan 15