Rotational evolution of a symmetric gyrostat with visco-elastic bars around the center of mass in a circular orbit

Abstract

The motion of a gyrostat in a circular orbit in a Newtonian field of force is considered. The gyrostat has four homogeneous viscoelastic bars attached to it. Rotation of the symmetric rotor inside the rigid body is statically and dynamically balanced. Bending deformations of the bars, accompanied by dissipation of energy, are the cause of the evolution of the system's rotational motion. Approximate equations describing this evolution are derived, together with averaged equations in Andoyer variables.