ATTITUDE PERFORMANCE OF THE GEOS-II GRAVITY-GRADIENT SPACECRAFT.

Abstract

The purpose of the report is to discuss the design analysis and flight performance of the attitude stabilization system of one of the Geodetic Earth Orbiting Satellites, GEOS-II. Geocentric stabilization is achieved in a completely passive manner by utilization of the gravity-gradient principle and a passive energy dissipator. The system analysis is accomplished through a digital solution of the equations of motion which describe the orientation of the spacecraft in orbit. Flight performance is obtained by an onboard attitude measuring system which determines the orientation of the satellite-sun line and magnetic field vector in the satellite reference system. A comparison of the theoretical and measured orientation of the spacecraft concludes the paper. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1969
Accession Number
AD0693030

Entities

People

  • James M. Whisnant
  • Phillip R. Waszkiewicz
  • Vincent L. Pisacane

Organizations

  • Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Artificial Satellites
  • Equations
  • Equations Of Motion
  • Magnetic Fields
  • Orientation (Direction)
  • Satellite Buses
  • Space Objects
  • Spacecraft
  • Spacecraft Components
  • Stabilization Systems

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

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