New Results for an Asymmetric Rigid Body with Constant Body-Fixed Torques

Abstract

The rotational motion of an asymmetric rigid body under the ine uence of constant body-e xed torque is investigated. A set of nondimensional equations of motion is introduced for the stability analysis of equilibrium points. In particular, three-dimensional phase space trajectories are developed for two different cases: 1 ) constant torque along the major or minor axis and 2 ) constant torque along the intermediate axis. For both cases, some new analytical as well as simulation results are presented in terms of equilibrium manifolds, separatrix surfaces, periodic or nonperiodic solutions, and extrema of the periodic solutions.