DESIGN FOR ORIENTATION BALLOON-BORNE EQUIPMENT,

Abstract

Presents the design of a system to orientate a balloon-borne instrument package about a vertical axis. Pointing accuracy obtained is plus or minus 1.5 degrees. An independent photographic recording system measures the azimuth angle with respect to the star Polaris to plus or minus 0.1 degrees. The instrument package is rotated against a light weight reaction wheel which is designed for maximum moment of inertia. A pulse-width modulation system is used to drive the orientation motor. A fluxgate magnetometer, used for the sensor element, causes the instrument package to be orientated with respect to the horizontal component of the earth's field. The instrument, a gamma-ray telescope, is oriented in the north-south plane and is tilted at an angle with the vertical which will correspond with the elevation of the suspected gamma-ray source when the source crosses the local meridian. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 1967
Accession Number
AD0658529

Entities

People

  • Gerald A. Anderson

Organizations

  • University of Minnesota

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accuracy
  • Communication Equipment
  • Detectors
  • Elevation
  • Gamma Rays
  • Inertia
  • Inertial Navigation Systems
  • Magnetometers
  • Modulation
  • Moment Of Inertia
  • Navigational Equipment
  • Orientation (Direction)
  • Photographic Recording Systems
  • Recording Systems
  • Telemetry Equipment
  • Vector Magnetometers

Readers

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics.
  • Electromagnetic Wave Scattering and Antenna Radiation Engineering
  • Robotics and Automation.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Spacecraft Maneuvers