Institute of Space Technology; Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics 1
405502 - 305506 - Spacecraft Dynamics
ASSIGNMENT 4 (65 points)
Submission Date: Jan 12, 2017 1100hrs.
Task #1 has (13 parts) that corresponds to CLO #3 for a total of 65 points
1.1. Determine the length of a uniform cylinder of radius R such that its principal moments of inertia are equal.
1.2. Identify two typical shapes which have equal principal inertias, that is,
1.3. Consider a rigid body with inertia tensor
[ ]
And angular veloctiy
( )
Determine:
The moment of inertia about an axis parallel to
The rotational kinetic enery
1.4. Consider a rigid body experiencing angular motion assosicated with angular velocity . Inertia properties are
given by
[ ]
And angular veloctiy
( )
Where the nomeclature is that of generalized form of Euler Equations
What is the angular momentum of this body about point O, its
center of mass
What is its rotational kinetic energy about O?
Determine the principal moments of inertia?
1.5. Consider a rigid body with inertia tensor
[ ]
And angular veloctiy
( )
If
( )
Determine:
Values of and
Moment of inertia about
Rotational kinetic energy
Principal moments of inertia
1.6. Consider a rigid body with axial symmetry and principal inertia and . If it is acted upon by a
small body-fixed, transeverse torque, with then:
Write the differential equations of motion(euler equations) for this situation
Is affected by ? Explain!
How is the angular momentum vector affected by ?
1.7. G
F/2016 Zainab Saleem Assignment #4
Institute of Space Technology; Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics 2
405502 - 305506 - Spacecraft Dynamics
(a) Arrange: the following in order according to their sensitivity towards detecting a small change in
attitude of a satellite at 800km altitude: (Starting from most accurate source of attitude
measurement).
Rate & Rate Integrating Sensors
Sun Sensor
Earth Sensor
Star Sensor
Magnetometer
(b) Arrange: the following in order, according to their magnitude affecting the attitude of a satellite at
800km altitude: (Starting from most dominant source of attitude disturbance).
Gravity Gradient Torque
Solar Radiation Torque
Aerodynamic Torque
Magnetic Disturbance Torque
(c) Arrange: the following in order of accuracy of attitude stabilization & control in degrees, for a
satellite at 800km altitude: (Starting from highest accuracy technique).
Spin Stabilized
3-axis Active Control
Dual-Spin Stabilized
Gravity Gradient Stabilization
Magnetic Stabilization
1.8. Derive the body angular velcoity components in terms of Euler angular rates ̇ ̇ ̇.
Express the Euler angular rates ̇ ̇ ̇ in terms of the body velocity components
1.9. During
S a space rescue mission an astromedic was trying to return
an unconscious astronaut to his capsule when his maneuvering
unit ran out of propellant. At the moment the two men were
connected by a taut tether of length 200m, as shown. The capsule
was 80m from the center of this tether and there was no relative
motion between men and spacecraft. Assume both men are equal
mass, and discuss possible action to be taken by the astromedic.
He can expect no help from anybody else.
1.10. A spacecraft is orbiting around the Earth. In inertial frame, the Sun-to-Earth vector and the Earth-to-SC vector
are known. Also, the spacecraft has measured SC-to-Earth and SC-to-Sun vectors in SC frame. How to
calculate a matrix that can convert vectors from inertial frame to SC frame?
1.11. Derive the equation for the precession of a spinning top(gyroscope subject to constant gravitational
torque). What is the precession rate when nutation angle is
1.12. Derive components of Earth’s Magnetic Field in spacecraft body coordinates
1.13. A satellite is spinning about its symmetric axis with the solar panel folded. When the panels are
extended out to the side, what happens to the kinetic energy? What is the cause of this change?
Also what happens to the moment of inertia, angular speed and angular momentum as panels are
extended?
F/2016 Zainab Saleem Assignment #4
