DAMPING OF A GRAVITATIONALLY STABILIZED SATELLITE,
Abstract
The librations of a prolate, axially symmetric satellite can be coupled to the longitudinal oscillations of a spring-mass system connected to the satellite. The oscillations of the spring can be heavily damped; thus the librations can be damped. The coupling for librations in the plane of the orbit is linear in the libration amplitude, and hence is effective for all amplitudes. Coupling for librations normal to the orbital plane is quadratic in the amplitude, and has low effectiveness for small amplitudes. The theory of the damping is developed, and optimum values of the system parameters are found. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0429539
Entities
People
- Robert R. Newton
Organizations
- Johns Hopkins University