A drag-free satellite, which contains an internal unsupported proof mass, is shielded from external forces such as solar pressure. Thrustors force the satellite to follow the proof mass and hence the satellite follows an almost purely gravitational orbit. The dominant internal disturbing force is the mass attraction of the satellite on the proof mass. Spinning the satellite reduces this force and it has been investigated what the size of the thrustors must be in this case. This size is much smaller than originally thought. Its impact on some other features is shown.
Minimum thrust levels for spinning drag-free satellites
Automatica ; 11
1975-11-01
Miscellaneous
No indication
English
Minimum thrust levels for spinning dragfree satellites
Tema Archive | 1975
|Mass center estimation in spinning drag-free satellites
NTRS | 1971
|Mass Center Estimation in Spinning Drag-Free Satellites
AIAA | 1972
|Mass center estimation in spinning drag-free satellites
AIAA | 1971
|