RADIAL AND BINORMAL THRUSTING TECHNIQUES FOR MANEUVERING SATELLITES IN NEAR EARTH SPACE.

The technique of utilizing radial and binormal continuous thrust for changing the position of a vehicle in a near earth orbit has been investigated. This study has shown that maneuvering satellites employing electric propulsion have an advantage over a comparative chemical or coldgas system for mission times greater than 20 days. When continuous low thrust is used, the error involved in predicting the position of an evasive satellite is approximately 100 miles, more or less, which depends on the height of the orbit and the thrust level involved. The orbital rendezvous maneuver requires a fine degree of control over the position of the rendezvous ship. It appears that radial and binormal continuous thrust can be employed to provide this control function. In addition to the mentioned evasive and rendezvous maneuvering, this technique could be applied to a reconnaissance satellite to fulfill the station-keeping function. Author