REACTION WHEEL ATTITUDE CONTROL FOR SPACE VEHICLES

reportActive / Technical Report | Accession Number: AD0608027 | Open PDF

Abstract:

An attitude control system consisting of motor-driven inertial wheels in conjunction with an over-riding mass ejection system is proposed for use in space vehicles. Control by mass ejection is used to compensate for initial disturbances during separation from the booster, and for removal of unwanted momentum stored in the wheels. The use of reaction wheels permits fine, damped attitude control. A laboratory model of a single-axis control system was constructed for experimentation and evaluation. The choice of a suitable platform configuration, selection of a prime mover for the inertial wheel, and the philosophy, in the design of the electronics and pneumatics are discussed. Emphasis was placed upon minimization of weight and power consumption. System evaluation includes a discussion of efficiencies, reliability, and torque-speed- power relationships. Sources of disturbances, methods of sensing, and general equations of motion are presented in the Appendix.

Author(s):
Froelich, Ronald W. ; Patapoff, Harry
Author Organization(s):
TRW SPACE TECHNOLOGY LABS LOS ANGELES CA
Supplementary Note:
Prepared for presentation at the IRE National Automatic Control Conference, November 6, 1959, Dallas, Texas.
Annotation:
Reaction wheel attitude control for space vehicles
Pagination:
0032

Security Markings

DOCUMENT & CONTEXTUAL SUMMARY

Distribution:
Approved For Public Release, Document Partially Illegible
Distribution Statement:
Approved For Public Release; Distribution Is Unlimited. Document Partially Illegible.

RECORD

Collection: TR
Identifying Numbers
Monitor Series:
BMDO
 Subject Terms
Joint Capability Areas:
JCA_6.1.3_Switching and Routing; JCA_6.1_Information Transport; JCA_6_Net Centric; JCA_1.3_Human Capital Management; JCA_1_Force Support; JCA_1.3.2_Personnel Management; JCA_4.3_Maintain
Communities of Interest:
Energy and Power Technologies
Descriptor(s):
*SPACECRAFT, *ATTITUDE CONTROL SYSTEMS, VELOCITY, PERFORMANCE(ENGINEERING), GASES, POWER AMPLIFIERS, POWER, OVERRIDE CONTROL, SERVOMECHANISMS, TORQUE, MOMENTUM, ELECTRIC MOTORS, REACTION CONTROL SYSTEMS, MOMENT OF INERTIA
Field(s)/Group(s):
Astronautics
Keyword(s):
INERTIAL WHEELS
Report Date:
1959 Oct 01