2H Singularity-Free Momentum Generation with Non-Redundant Single Gimbaled Control Moment Gyroscopes

Abstract

Two objectives dominate consideration of control moment gyroscopes (CMGs) for spacecraft maneuvers: High torque (equivalently momentum) and singularity-free operations. This paper adds to the significant body of research towards these two goals utilizing a minimal 3-CMG array to rovide 646% singularity-free momentum performance increase spherically, compared to the ubiquitous pyramid arrangement skewed at 54.730. Spherical 1H (1 CMGs-worth (momentum) singularity free momentum is established with birectional 1H and 2H in the third direction in a baseline configuration. Lastly, momentum space reshaping is shown via mixed skew angles. These claims are demonstrated analytically, then heuristically, and finally validated experimentally. Two objectives dominate consideration of control moment gyroscopes (CMGs) for spacecraft maneuvers: High torque (equivalently momentum) and singularity-free operations. This paper adds to the significant body of research towards these two goals utilizing a minimal 3-CMG array to rovide 646% singularity-free momentum performance increase spherically, compared to the ubiquitous pyramid arrangement skewed at 54.730. Spherical 1H (1 CMGs-worth (momentum) singularity free momentum is established with birectional 1H and 2H in the third direction in a baseline configuration. Lastly, momentum space reshaping is shown via mixed skew angles. These claims are demonstrated analytically, then heuristically, and finally validated experimentally.