Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Dynamics of a satellite subject to gravitational and aerodynamic torques. Investigation of equilibrium positions

  • Published:
Cosmic Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The rotational dynamics of a satellite moving over a circular orbit under an effect of gravitational and aerodynamic torques is investigated. A method is proposed for determining all equilibrium positions (equilibrium orientations) of a satellite in an orbital coordinate system with given values of an aerodynamic torque vector and principal central moments of inertia; the conditions of their existence are obtained, depending on four dimensionless parameters of the problem. Bifurcation values of parameters are found for which the number of equilibrium orientations changes. The numerical analysis of the evolution of regions of existence of various numbers of equilibrium orientations in the space of dimensionless parameters is carried out. The relationship between the obtained regions of existence and the regions of existence of equilibrium orientations of an axisymmetric satellite is considered. It is shown that the number of equilibrium positions of a satellite does not exceed 24 and cannot be less than 8, in the general case.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Sarychev, V.A., Voprosy orientatsii iskusstvennykh sputnikov. Itogi Nauki Tekh., Ser.: Issled. Kosm. Prostranstva, (Problems of Orientation of Artificial Satellites. Results of Science and Technology, Ser.: Cosmic Space Research), Moscow: VINITI, 1978, vol. 11.

  2. Sarychev, V.A. and Mirer, S.A., Relative equilibria of a satellite subjected to gravitational and aerodynamic torques, Celestial Mech. Dyn. Astron., 2000, vol. 76, no. 1, p. 55–68.

    Article  MATH  MathSciNet  ADS  Google Scholar 

  3. Sarychev, V.A., Mirer, S.A., Degtyarev, A.A., and Duarte, E.K., Investigation of equilibria of a satellite subjected to gravitational and aerodynamic torques, Celestial Mech. Dyn. Astron., 2007, vol. 97, no. 4, p. 267–287.

    Article  MATH  MathSciNet  ADS  Google Scholar 

  4. Sarychev, V.A., Mirer, S.A., and Degtyarev, A.A., Equilibria of a satellite subjected to gravitational and aerodynamic torques with pressure center in a principal plane of inertia, Celestial Mech. Dyn. Astron., 2008, vol. 100, no. 4, p. 301–318.

    Article  MATH  MathSciNet  ADS  Google Scholar 

  5. Sarychev, V.A. and Gutnik, S.A., Dynamics of an axisymmetric satellite under the action of gravitational and aerodynamic torques, Cosmic Res., 2012, vol. 50, no. 5, p. 367–375.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  6. Sarychev, V.A. and Gutnik, S.A., Dynamics of satellite subject to gravitational and aerodynamic torques. Investigation of equilibria, Preprint no. 39, Moscow: Keldysh Inst. Appl. Math. Russ. Acad. Sci., 2014. http://librarykeldyshru/preprintasp?id=2014-39

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Keldysh Institute of Applied Mathematics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Miusskaya sq. 4, Moscow, 125047, Russia

    V. A. Sarychev

  2. Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Institutskii per. 9, Dolgoprudnyi, 141700, Russia

    S. A. Gutnik

  3. Moscow Institute of International Relations, pr. Vernadskogo 76, Moscow, 119454, Russia

    S. A. Gutnik

Authors
  1. V. A. Sarychev
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. S. A. Gutnik
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to V. A. Sarychev.

Additional information

Original Russian Text © V.A. Sarychev, S.A. Gutnik, 2015, published in Kosmicheskie Issledovaniya, 2015, Vol. 53, No. 6, pp. 488–496.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Sarychev, V.A., Gutnik, S.A. Dynamics of a satellite subject to gravitational and aerodynamic torques. Investigation of equilibrium positions. Cosmic Res 53, 449–457 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1134/S0010952515060064

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S0010952515060064

Keywords

Search

Navigation