PERTURBATIONS OF A GRAVITY GRADIENT STABILIZATION SYSTEM
Abstract
Satellite attitude stabilization systems utilizing the gradient of the earth's gravitational field have the advantage of being completely passive (i.e., no power is required). However, the stabilizing moments developed are extremely small and as a result such systems are subject to attitude perturbations from sources which would ordinarily be neglected in the evaluation of an active stabilization system. This memorandum investigates certain of these sources of attitude perturbation including micro-meteoroid impact, solar radiation pressure, stationkeeping propulsion, orbital eccentricity, and on- board rotating machinery. In the analysis, formulas are developed which determine the magnitude of the pitch, roll and yaw perturbations resulting from each of the above sources. Application of these results to an assumed vehicle configuration shows that the resulting attitude perturbations can be of the order of several degrees. While these perturbations do not necessarily rule out gravity gradient stabilization, their magnitudes for a given vehicle configuration should be considered for their compatibility with the mission requirements.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1965
- Accession Number
- AD0623279
Entities
People
- R. H. Frick
Organizations
- RAND Corporation