SERVO DAMPING OF A GRAVITY-GRADIENT STABILIZED SATELLITE.
Abstract
A system using gimballed optical sensors with servo controlled torques has been conceived as a possible mechanism for damping the librations of a gravity-gradient stabilized satellite. Analyses of the linearized equations of motion have established the servo gains required for stability, the type of motion to be expected, and the damping within all portions of the stable zones. A double compound pendulum has been constructed which qualitatively demonstrates the operation of the system and at the same time yields quantitative verification of the analytic results. The proposed system accomplishes the desired objective and should prove valuable in a vehicle which is gravity-gradient stabilized and also contains a horizon sensor or any other optical or radar scanning device. Servo systems of this type can be designed such that the effective gravity-gradient spring constant is increased beyond its nominal gravity value, a result which makes this type of stabilization attractive for high altitude orbits. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1967
- Accession Number
- AD0813025
Entities
People
- Gerard L. Commerford
- James S. Whittier
Organizations
- The Aerospace Corporation