Steady Spins and Spinup Dynamics of Axisymmetric Dual-Spin Satellites with Dampers

摘要

We investigate the possible equilibria of dual-spin satellites by studying a torque-free gyrostat with an attached spring-mass damper. Using numerical continuation we present possible equilibria for axisymmetric dual-spin satellites and also show how slight inertia asymmetries affect equilibria. Even small asymmetries can significantly change the location of off-nominal steady spins. Also, the existence of certain equilibria is related to a simple damper-tuning condition. Finally, the bifurcation diagrams for varying rotor momentum provide a useful perspective on rotor spinup dynamics.