Space Webs Dynamics and Configuration Control by means of Reaction Wheels

摘要

Space webs are large, deploy able systems composed by several spacecraft connected by tethers. Their dynamics is commanded by the directional effects of the gravity gradient on the specific configuration selected. The paper investigates webs' attitude dynamics by means of a model including six degrees of freedom for the spacecraft, and a number of elements, able to support tensile stresses and described only by their position, for the tethers. This model, applied to a planar, axial symmetrical configuration, allows for feasible numerical simulations. Specifically, the capability to command web's attitude by means of momentum exchange devices is investigated, and the possibility to transfer the angular momentum from a wheel actuator located in a central platform to the overall system is proofed.