Interactions Between SAS-C Spacecraft Nutations and Spin-Rate Control System.

Abstract

The SAS-C spacecraft is stabilized by a momentum biased reaction wheel and passive nutation damper. A closed-loop low-speed spacecraft spin rate control system is included which uses a single-axis gyro and a variable speed range on the reaction wheel. Dynamic instability can result from interactions among the gyro, damper, and spacecraft dynamic unbalance that are aggravated by gyro angular misalignment, gyro error signals, and spacecraft nutations. This report presents analytic, eigenvector, and digital computer dynamical analyses of the coupled systems describing mechanisms for instability; bounds on gyro error signal, tilt, and spacecraft dynamic unbalance that ensure system stability; and expected spin rate control system performance.

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 01, 1974
Accession Number
ADA006115

Entities

People

  • B. E. Tossman
  • D. L. Thayer

Organizations

  • Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Computers
  • Computing Devices
  • Control Systems
  • Digital Computers
  • Eigenvectors
  • Instability
  • Misalignment
  • Momentum
  • Spacecraft

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Control Systems Engineering.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Spacecraft Maneuvers