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Roll Dynamics of a Spinning Axi-Symmetric Satellite using the WKBJ Method

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 July 2016

V. J. Modi
Affiliation:
The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
J. E. Neilson
Affiliation:
The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Summary

The attitude dynamics of a spinning axi-symmetric satellite, free to librate in roll, is studied using the WKBJ method. Applicability of the method to the linearised equation of motion is first verified. To facilitate the evaluation of the WKBJ solution and to make it more amenable to the phase space analysis, second order terms in eccentricity are neglected. The form of the solution suggests the presence of phase and amplitude modulation effects for non-circular orbits. The comparison between the WKBJ analysis and ‘exact’ numerical solutions showed that the approximate analysis predicts the period and amplitude of motion with an accuracy adequate for the preliminary design purposes.

Type
Technical Notes
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society 1968 

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References

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