The attitude motion of interplanetary, spinning spacecraft under the influence of solar radiation and optimal thrusting was investigated. A general model was formulated to describe the forces and torques exerted on the spacecraft due to solar radiation. The model was compared with models available in the large body of literature on the subject. It is found to be mathematically equivalent to a generalized model developed previously for the description of interaction between spacecraft and atmosphere. A geometrical description of the uncontrolled attitude motion is presented. The relevant attitude parameters can be estimated using a simple solar sensor. Assuming pulsed jet microthrusting, both single attitude maneuvers and multiple attitude maneuvers are optimized; the former with respect to fuel mass consumed in a single maneuver, the latter with respect to time elapsed between consecutive single maneuvers. The maneuver sequence is described geometrically.
Multiple Attitude Maneuvers for a Spinning Spacecraft Disturbed by Solar Radiation
1978
46 pages
Report
No indication
English
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