GRAVITY-GRADIENT STABILIZATION RESULTS FROM THE DODGE SATELLITE IN 1967.
Abstract
The DODGE Satellite was launched into a 7 degrees, near-synchronous orbit on July 1, 1967. Residual spin was removed in 12 days by artificial magnetic hysteresis damping. The four booms of the 'X' configuration were deployed to achieve gravity capture. A sample-and-hold technique was used to damp librations by reacting with the earth's magnetic field. Pitch and roll damped to 20 degree peaks in 9 days. Efforts to obtain better stabilization with the torsion-wire damper-boom system were unsuccessful. Subsequent stabilization with magnetic damping showed one period of exceptionally good results with pitch and roll peaks of only 4 degrees. The satellite tumbled on November 16-17, possibly due to a meteoroid of the Leonid shower. TV cameras of 22 degree and 60 degree fields have provided attitude data. A color filter system in the 22 degree camera has allowed the first color pictures of the full earth image. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1968
- Accession Number
- AD0677270
Entities
People
- F. F. Mobley
Organizations
- Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory