Gravity gradient stabilization of the salyut-soyuz orbital complex

Abstract

The equations of attitude motion of the Salyut-Soyuz orbital complex under the action of gravity gradient and aerodynamic torques allow natural introduction of a small parameter—the ratio of longitudinal-to-lateral moments of inertia. Using the Krylov-Bogolyubov method the formal two-dimensional integral manifolds of these equations are constructed to describe oscillations and rotations of the orbital complex about its longitudinal axis directed approximately along the local vertical. The motions belonging to such manifolds may be considered as the nominal undisturbed motions of the orbital complex under the gravity gradient attitude stabilization. Numerical investigation of the integral manifolds constructed has been carried out. It is shown that they may be unstable under the action of a non-potential component of the aerodynamic torque. The on-board measurements of the attitude motion parameters have been processed and, as a result, the real motion of the orbital complex under gravity gradient stabilization have been reconstructed.