Directed momentum management for rotating spacecraft

摘要

This paper presents three techniques for managing spacecraft momentum so as to maximize time between momentum adjust maneuvers. The techniques apply to spinning spacecraft using thrusters and reaction wheels for 3-axis control in the presence of an inertially fixed disturbance. By switching from wheel control to thruster control and back with the correct timing, momentum growth in the body frame can be redirected so that wheel speeds will gradually diminish in the course of normal control operations before again increasing to the point where another momentum adjust maneuver is required. Techniques of varying operational complexity are presented, with flight data showing their effectiveness.