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Controlling the attitude and two flexure-modes of a flexible satellite

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 July 2016

E. H. Smith
Affiliation:
Formerly with University of Leeds, now with Dept of Mech and Prod Eng, Paisley College of Technology
K. F. Gill
Affiliation:
Dept of Mech Eng, University of Leeds

Extract

Many space satellites consist of a pair of highly-flexible solar panels attached to a relatively rigid centre-body, the recently launched CTS is a good example. The panels supply electrical power to the communications equipment and attitude sensors which are usually mounted on the centre-body. It would appear that in the current generation of vehicles the flexure of the panels does not degrade the quality of the attitude control. This may not be so, however, in the next generation of satellites which will of necessity carry much larger solar panels. If the same high pointing accuracy is to be maintained in these vehicles and problems due to structural damage are to be avoided, then the flexure of the panels will have to be controlled.

Type
Technical note
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society 1977 

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References

1. Harris, R. S. and Todman, D. C. Three axis control of spacecraft with large flexible appendages. ESA Symposium on Dynamics and Control of Non-Rigid Space Vehicles, May 1976.Google Scholar
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