Equilibria of a satellite subject to gravitational and constant torques.
Abstract
The equilibria of a satellite subject to gravitational and constant torques in a circular orbit are investigated. A method to investigate all the equilibrium positions of a satellite with a prescribed constant torque and prescribed central moments of inertia is presented. It is shown that a satellite with a small constant torque has 24 equilibrium positions. The number of equilibrium positions is reduced to zero as the constant torque increases. Numerical investigations of the equilibrium positions are performed.
- Publication:
-
Kosmicheskie Issledovaniia
- Pub Date:
- October 1994
- Bibcode:
- 1994KosIs..32...43S
- Keywords:
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- Artificial Satellites: Equilibria;
- Artificial Satellites: Orbit Theory