An instrument-pointing system for Spacelab
Abstract
Many of the scientific experiments to be performed on Spacelab missions require accurate and stable pointing significantly better than that provided by the Orbiter vehicle. It is the purpose of the Spacelab Instrument Pointing Subsystem to satisfy those requirements. Three conceptual approaches to the problem are briefly described. The first, the soft-mounted, CMG-controlled pallet concept, originated with NASA (MSFC); the second, the conventional ring-gimbal concept, with the companies Dornier System and Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm, Germany. The third concept, the inside-out gimbal system, is introduced by ESA and is described in more detail. The three concepts were compared with one another, and the inside-out gimbal system was found to be the preferred solution.
- Publication:
-
NASA STI/Recon Technical Report N
- Pub Date:
- September 1976
- Bibcode:
- 1976STIN...7713142H
- Keywords:
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- Pointing Control Systems;
- Satellite-Borne Instruments;
- Spacelab;
- Control Moment Gyroscopes;
- Dynamic Models;
- Gimbals;
- Payloads;
- Space Shuttle Orbiters;
- Stability;
- Stabilized Platforms;
- Spacecraft Instrumentation