Prediction of attitude stability of asymmetric dual-spin stabilized spacecraft using improved liquid slosh model

Abstract

The rigid slug method for modelling sloshing liquid fuel aboard dual-spin stabilized spacecraft has been shown to be inadequate by recent flight data. This rigid slug model and a uniform gravity model put forth by Abramson is examined in detail. The Abramson model is incorporated into a computer simulation written specifically to predict spacecraft attitude. An analysis is performed with both the modified and unmodified versions of this simulation to determine the boundaries of stability for rotor and platform asymmetries. The results show that the improved model is better able to predict spacecraft attitude stability.