DETERMINATION OF A UNIQUE ATTITUDE FOR AN EARTH SATELLITE

Abstract

The existence of unique stable attitudes for a body orbiting in a central gravitational force field such as that of the earth is shown to depend only upon the requirement that the three principal moments of inertia of the body be different, upon the diverging nature of the gravitation field, and upon the centrifugal force effects of the orbital angular velocity. B th mathematical and physical models (Sputnik II) are discussed. Particular emphasis is given to the existence of unique attitude about a body axis which is maintained always colinear with the radius vector from the center of the gravitatational field to the center of mass of the body. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 15, 1957
Accession Number
AD0264958

Entities

People

  • William R. Davis

Organizations

  • Lockheed Martin Missiles and Space

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Artificial Satellites
  • Centrifugal Fields
  • Centrifugal Force
  • Gravitational Fields
  • Gravity
  • Motion
  • Physical Properties
  • Space Systems

Readers

  • Calculus or Mathematical Analysis
  • Fluid Dynamics.
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Orbital Debris
  • Space - Spacecraft Maneuvers