Study of an attitude acquisition measurement technique using the ESA starmapper: Part I: Executive summary

The study deals with the rotational motion of a spin-stabilized spacecraft equipped with a V-slit sun sensor and the X-slit ESA starmapper. Assuming complete absence of an a priori attitude estimate, it is required to produce a rough estimate of the spacecraft attitude motion. It was assumed that sensor misalignments, external torques and...

Study of an attitude acquisition measurement technique using the ESA starmapper: Part two: final report

The study deals with the rotational motion of a spin-stabilized spacecraft equipped with a V-slit sun sensor and the X-slit ESA starmapper. Assuming complete absence of an a priori attitude estimate, it is required to produce a rough estimate of the spacecraft attitude motion. It was assumed that sensor misalignments, external torques and...

Study of double gimballed momentum wheels in the attitude and orbit control system of a geostationary communication satellite

The potentials of a double glmballed mcwientum wheel as an actuator for the attitude oontrol of a geostationary communication satellite are discussed with respect to the related systems. A justification of the IXaW is given and the characteristics defining the wheel system are determined. They can serve to be the input to a detailed design of an...

Factors influencing the choice of an orbital propulsion system for geostationary satellites

In this report the requirements of orbit control of geostationary communications satellites are investigated. A comparison between chemical and electrical propulsion is made for mission lives up to I5 years. The mass of electrical propulsion is lower than of chemical syetems, even when mass penalties for the low reliability of the ion thrusters...

Stability of double gimballed momentum wheels

Due to the finite stiffness of rotor- and gimbal-suspensions, a double gimballed momentum wheel will oscillate with high natural frequencies. The stability of these oscillations is studied, in order to obtain requirements for the stiffness of the suspensions and/or the gimbal inertia properties. From energy considerations, it is concluded that...

Accuracy of attitude control systems for satellites using double gimballed momentum wheels