Session
Technical Session VII: Small Satellites - Special Applications
Abstract
During the six years of operation of the Solar Mesosphere Explorer (SME), LASP's mission analysis system has determined the attitude of this spinner to 0.03° rms. Suggestions to improve future system designs to achieve more accuracy are given in terms of: 1) Thermal expansion control. 2) Reduction of eddy current drag. 3) Reduction of aerodynamic torques. 4) Averaging of horizon sensor data. 5) Use of a star scanner. 6) Commandable dynamic balance adjustments. Accuracy of 0.001° seems possible and will be discussed in the context of geomagnetic mapping.
Spin Stabilized Satellites
During the six years of operation of the Solar Mesosphere Explorer (SME), LASP's mission analysis system has determined the attitude of this spinner to 0.03° rms. Suggestions to improve future system designs to achieve more accuracy are given in terms of: 1) Thermal expansion control. 2) Reduction of eddy current drag. 3) Reduction of aerodynamic torques. 4) Averaging of horizon sensor data. 5) Use of a star scanner. 6) Commandable dynamic balance adjustments. Accuracy of 0.001° seems possible and will be discussed in the context of geomagnetic mapping.
