The paper describes the attitude control flight performance of SEASAT-A, (launched in June 1978), until failure of the power subsystem terminated the mission in Oct. 1978. Information provided by the satellite pertained to surface winds and coastal storm activity, currents and wave heights, ocean topography and temperature. The ACS used three-axis momentum exchange and magnetic momentum containment and was set in a nose-down configuration. Attitude control sensing was via horizon sensors and attitude anomalies, resulting from solar interference with the sensors, is covered in detail. Remedial action was taken by reconfiguring the IR scanners, but failure resulted nevertheless. Recommendations for similar future missions include consideration of the effect of light sources and circuit time constants and scan rates. A block diagram of the ACS is included.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Flight performance of SEASAT-1 attitude control system


    Contributors:

    Conference:

    Annual Rocky Mountain Guidance and Control Conference ; 1981 ; Keystone, CO


    Publication date :

    1981-01-01


    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




    SEASAT-A attitude control system

    Weiss, R. / Rodden, J.J. / Hendricks, R.J. | Tema Archive | 1977


    Seasat-A Attitude Control System

    R. Weiss / J.J. Rodden / R.J. Hendricks et al. | AIAA | 1978


    Seasat-A attitude control system

    Weiss, R. / Rodden, J. J. / Hendricks, R. J. | NTRS | 1977


    Seasat-A attitude control system

    WEISS, R. / RODDEN, J. / HENDRICKS, R. | AIAA | 1977


    Attitude determination system for Seasat-A mission

    OHTAKAY, H. / HAVENS, W. | AIAA | 1977