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The attitude control system of the satellite for earth observation ‘ Bhaskara ’

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Proceedings of the Indian Academy of Sciences Section C: Engineering Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The satellite for earth observation (Bhaskara) launched on 7 June 1979 has two TV cameras and a passive microwave radiometer for earth resources survey and meteorological studies respectively. As it had to be a minimally modified version of the earlier spin-stabilised satelliteAryabhata, it is configured as a spin-stabilised satellite, with a spin rate of between 6 to 11 rev/min and a spin axis perpendicular to the orbital plane within 3°. The cold gas system ofAryabhata was modified to provide a low and controlled thrust for spin-up and spin-axis orientation operations. Two horizon-crossing sensors are used for automatic spin-axis control and attitude determination on ground. This paper presents a report on the system evolution, design, simulation and on-orbit performance ofBhaskara.

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Abbreviations

A:

wetted area of the damper

a:

semi-major axis

c d :

distance of the damper plane from the spacecraft co

C f :

coefficient of friction between the damper fluid and wall

d:

diameter of the damper tube

e:

eccentricity

g:

fill angle of the damper

I X,I y :

moment of inertia of the satellite aboutx, y (body fixed co-ordinates) respectively

I z :

moment of inertia about spin axisi.e. z-axis

i a :

inclination of the orbit

M:

earth’s dipole moment (- 8.06 x 1016 WM3)

R:

radius of the damper

r:

radius of the earth

t:

time

Ωa :

orbit cross-over angle from vernal equinox

v:

coning angle

v f :

final coning angle after some damping timet d

vi :

initial coning angle

vres :

residual coning angle

ξ:

angle between the geomagnetic dipole moment and geometric north

ρ:

density of the fluid

ω z :

spin rate of the spacecraft

References

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  • ISRO 1977a Design report on attude control system for SEO, Doc. No. SEO-ISSP-11-76-07-5-011 Rev. 01, Control Systems Section, Satellite Centre.

  • ISRO 1977b ‘Spin-axis orientation channel/data command computation for satellite for earth observation (SEO)’, Doc. No. SEO-ISAC-31-77-07-5-010, Control Systems Section, Satellite Centre.

  • SRO 1977c Design Report on pressure regulator (SEO Control Systems) Doc. No. SEO-ISAC-31-77-12-5-05, Control Systems Section, Satellite Centre

  • ISRO 1977d Design report on solenoid valve, (SEO Control Systems) Doc. No. SEO-ISAC-31-77-12-5-009, Control Systems Section, Satellite Centre

  • ISRO 1978 Document on nozzle test facility, Doc. No. ISAC-31-78-03-5-003, Control Systems Section, Satellite Centre

  • ISRO 1980 Acceptance test procedures for pneumatic components, (SEO-II Control System) Doc. No. SEO-II-ISAC-31-80-07-3-008, Control Systems Section, Satellite Centre

  • Renard M L 1953 Attitude perturbation and magnetic attitude control of a spin stabilised satellite, ESRO TR-1 (ESTEC)

  • Rogers E E 1953 A mathematical model for predicting the damping time of a mercury damper, US Naval Ordinance Test Report No. 10.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Control Systems Section, ISRO Satellite Centre, 560 058, Bangalore

    P. S. Goel, S. Nagabushanam, S. Murugesan & M. M. M. Patnaik

Authors
  1. P. S. Goel
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  2. S. Nagabushanam
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  3. S. Murugesan
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  4. M. M. M. Patnaik
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Goel, P.S., Nagabushanam, S., Murugesan, S. et al. The attitude control system of the satellite for earth observation ‘ Bhaskara ’. Proc. Indian Acad. Sci. (Engg. Sci.) 5, 1–27 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02843100

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02843100

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