Numerical analysis of the attitude stability of a charged spacecraft in the Pitch-Roll-Yaw directions

Abstract

In this paper, the effect of Lorentz force on the stability of attitude orientation of a charged spacecraft moving in an elliptic orbit in the geomagnetic field is considered. Euler equations are used to derive the equations of attitude motion of a charged spacecraft. The equilibrium positions and its stability are investigated separately in the pitch, roll and yaw directions. In each direction, we use the Lorentz force to identify an attitude stabilization parameter. The analytical methods confirm that we can use the Lorentz force as a stabilization method. The charge-to-mass ratio is the main key of control, in addition to the components of the radius vector of the charged center of the spacecraft, relative to the center of mass of the spacecraft. The numerical results determine stable and unstable equilibrium positions. Therefore, in order to generate optimum charge, which may stabilize the attitude motion of a spacecraft, the amount of charge on the surface of spacecraft will need to be monitored for passive control.