ON THE DYNAMICS OF A SATELLITE STABILIZED BY WIRES.
Abstract
The attitude of a satellite can be made stable in all three libration angles by a suitable arrangement of wires rather than rigid members to give the necessary vertical extent. In one stabilization method, four wires are connected to the main satellite body at points as far apart as possible. The other ends of the wires are connected to a small mass, yielding a pyramidal configuration. This paper analyzes the normal modes of libration and the response to perturbing torques of such a satellite. It is shown that the long axis of the main body should point in the direction of motion. That is, the main body should be held in a position of unstable equilibrium. It is also shown that the effects of radiation pressure and thermal distortion are an order of magnitude smaller than for equivalent satellites using rigid structures. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1966
- Accession Number
- AD0479217
Entities
People
- Robert R. Newton
Organizations
- Johns Hopkins University