Attitude sensing of APPLE spacecraft
Abstract
A variety of attitude sensors have been used in the Ariane Passenger Payload Experiment (APPLE) geosynchronous satellite's control system. Sensor tasks encompass satellite attitude determination after separation from launch vehicle, spin axis orientation for apogee boost motor firing and satellite spin-up, satellite despin and sunward pointing on reaching geosynchronous orbit, three-axis stabilization, and yaw axis control during stationkeeping. Attention is given to problems encountered during APPLE deployment, of which the most serious was the failure of one of the solar panels to deploy. Pitch rotation was used to keep earth sensor temperature below operating maximum range.
- Publication:
-
Aeronautical Society India Journal
- Pub Date:
- November 1983
- Bibcode:
- 1983AeSIJ..35..189A
- Keywords:
-
- Attitude Indicators;
- Domestic Satellite Communications Systems;
- Guidance Sensors;
- Indian Spacecraft;
- Satellite Attitude Control;
- Ariane Launch Vehicle;
- Earth Observations (From Space);
- Pointing Control Systems;
- Remote Sensors;
- Solar Sensors;
- Stationkeeping;
- Three Axis Stabilization;
- Spacecraft Instrumentation