Computational phase portrait analysis of two nonlinear small satellite models

Ahmet Sofyali*, Elbrus Caferov

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Two small satellite models are selected that are subject to gravity gradient in circular, low-altitude orbits. The second one is passively controlled by a pitch momentum wheel. The aim of this work is to represent how the passive pitch bias momentum method affects the nonlinear attitude dynamics. The analysis is based on phase portraits, Poincaré sections, and time responses. The phase portraits show that there are multiple equilibrium points lying on the Euler angle axes. Global behaviors remind motion about a saddle point located at the origin. The dynamics of the second model seems to have reduced nonlinear characteristics according to corresponding, less attracted motion pattern compared to the pattern for the first model observed in phase portraits and according to scattered points that do not build island-like structures, which is the case for the first model, in Poincaré sections. The time responses obtained using low initial attitude angles indicate that the nonlinear responses of the second model bring stable nonlinear motion to mind whereas the responses of the first model are divergent, so unstable. The pitch momentum wheel induces nutation that leads to high-frequency oscillation besides the low-frequency oscillation.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationRAST 2009 - Proceedings of 4th International Conference on Recent Advances Space Technologies
Pages491-496
Number of pages6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2009
Event4th International Conference on Recent Advances in Space Technologies 2009, RAST '09 - Istanbul, Turkey
Duration: 11 Jun 200913 Jun 2009

Publication series

NameRAST 2009 - Proceedings of 4th International Conference on Recent Advances Space Technologies

Conference

Conference4th International Conference on Recent Advances in Space Technologies 2009, RAST '09
Country/TerritoryTurkey
CityIstanbul
Period11/06/0913/06/09

Keywords

  • Nonlinear attitude dynamics
  • Passive pitch bias momentum method
  • Phase portrait
  • Poincaré section
  • Small satellite

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