The fact that a spacecraft traveling through the 'vacuum' of space conforms to the classical Keplerian ellipse has recently been disproven. It is now well known that such a vehicle is acted on by many external forces such as drag in the rarefied particle atmosphere, solar wind and particle impact. This paper discusses the development of sensors and sensor systems to measure these minute forces of acceleration/deceleration. Four systems will be discussed: a 10 exp -4 g system, a 10 exp -6 g system, a 10 exp -(6-8) g system and a 10 exp -9 g system. The design of each system will be explained along with the advantages/disadvantages of each. Various applications unique to each system will be discussed. Configurations, design schemes, test plans and calibration procedures, both in the ground laboratory and inflight, will be presented. The current design/development/operational status of each system will be examined and future plans discussed. Application to aerodynamic studies and vernier guidance, navigation, and vehicle control will also be examined.
Microgravity monitoring instrument development and application to vernier guidance, navigation, and vehicle control
1992-01-01
Aufsatz (Konferenz)
Keine Angabe
Englisch
Vernier engines for control, guidance, acceleration, braking
Engineering Index Backfile | 1960
|Space Vehicle Navigation, Guidance, and Control
NTRS | 1967
|Space Vehicle Navigation, Guidance, and Control
NTIS | 1967
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