Torque Free Rotational Dynamics of a Variable-Configuration Body (Application to Weightless Man)

摘要

The foreseen problems of a free-floating space worker require a theoretical method of analyzing the rotational effects of body configuration changes. To complete such a study, a mathematical model of the human body was utilized to approximate the dynamic properties of the body. Assuming the body to be isolated (no external torques or forces), the principle of conservation of angular momentum (about the system center-of-mass) was applied to develop three simultaneous, first order, non-linear differential equations with variable coefficients. The components of the body spin vector are the time dependent quantities in these equations. A computer program was developed to solve the equations by numerical methods. Results of the program include: body spin vector components and their rates of change, position of the system center-of-mass, acceleration of various points in the system, and body orientation change. (Author)