The attitude dynamics of Hermes after termination of three-axis stabilization / by F.R. Vigneron and W.E. Krag.: Co24-3/7-1354-1982E-PDF

"In late 1979, Hermes, an experimental geostationary communications satellite, experienced an earth sensor malfunction which resulted in its loss of control and subsequent transition from 3-axis stabilization to spin about its maximum-moment-of-inertia axis. During and after the transition, the sun's reflections from the satellite were detected and monitored at the experimental test site (ETS) for the Ground Based Electro Optical Deep Space Surveillance System (GEODSS) in New Mexico. In this report, the satellite's attitude dynamics are deduced by correlating the GEODSS ETS observations with dynamics analysis and simulation. The transition to spin took about 15 days. Thereafter, the rate of spin decayed to zero in about 70 days due to solar pressure. The GEODSS ETS observations also provide data on the relative misalignment and bending of the two solar sails of the satellite"--Abstract, page 1.

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Publication information
Department/Agency Communications Research Centre (Canada), issuing body.
Title The attitude dynamics of Hermes after termination of three-axis stabilization / by F.R. Vigneron and W.E. Krag.
Series title CRC report ; no. 1354
Publication type Series - View Master Record
Language [English]
Format Electronic
Electronic document
Note(s) "Space Technology and Applications Branch."
Digitized edition from print [produced by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada].
Some pages rotated in this copy.
Includes bibliographical references (page 15).
Issued also in print format.
Publishing information Ottawa : Communications Research Centre, February 1982.
Author / Contributor Vigneron, F. R., author.
Description 1 online resource (iii, 25 pages) : illustrations.
Catalogue number
  • Co24-3/7-1354-1982E-PDF
Subject terms Hermes (Communications satellite)
Artificial satellites -- Attitude control systems.
Artificial satellites -- Stability.
Hermes (Satellite de télécommunications)
Satellites artificiels -- Systèmes de commande d'orientation.
Satellites artificiels -- Stabilité.
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