Feasibility of a Deep-Space Solar Activity Monitoring Platform with Video Capability.
Abstract
A basic fact of life facing solar forecasters and researchers is that half of the sun is not visible to them. Because of the rotation of the sun, solar activity center which spawn flares are invisible during part of their lifetime and solar forecasters have only a few days of lead time in their forecasts. This study investigates the feasibility of placing a satellite platform capable of supporting a high-resolution video imaging system on the far side of the sun in the earth's orbit. Other measurements included in the mission are X-ray flux, UV flux charged particle flux, and radio emissions from the sun. The study indicates that the mission is feasible. A design for the vehicle is suggested; proven systems are used in the proposed vehicle with the exception of the attitude control system. Vehicle pointing requirements are met by a proposed attitude control system design which uses radiation pressure torques, optical damping, and a reaction boom to achieve a one-arc-second pointing accuracy for the vehicle. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1973
- Accession Number
- AD0761799
Entities
People
- David D. Ratcliff
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology