OPTIMIZED PERFORMANCE OF AN ARTICULATED GRAVITY GRADIENT SATELLITE AT SYNCHRONOUS ALTITUDE,

Abstract

A geometrically and dynamically symmetrical articulated satellite is considered for possible application at synchronous altitudes. The perturbing influence of solar radiation pressure on the two vertical hinged booms is studied, and the small-angle equations of motion derived. From these equations, both the transient and steady-state pointing performance are optimized through a computer search. Pointing errors of the order of two degrees, and damping times less than one orbit are shown to be possible for a weight expenditure of forty-five pounds (satellite payload weight = 250 pounds). (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 01, 1966
Accession Number
AD0645164

Entities

People

  • P. C. Hughes

Organizations

  • University of Toronto

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Altitude
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Computers
  • Equations
  • Equations Of Motion
  • Fluids
  • Payload
  • Plasmas (Physics)
  • Radiation
  • Radiation Pressure
  • Solar Radiation
  • Solar Wind
  • Steady State

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerodynamics/Aeronautics.
  • Plasma Physics / Magnetohydrodynamics
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

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