Optimum Design of a Gravitationally Oriented Two-Body Satellite

Abstract

Optimum ranges of the inertia ratios, the spring constants, and the damping constants have been obtained for the design of a gravitationally oriented two‐body satellite with satisfactory over‐all damping performance. In the case of viscous damping, optimum damping constants can be simply chosen from diagrams of complex root loci. It is found impossible to convert the optimum viscous damping constants into optimum magnetic hysteresis damping constants, and the latter have to be obtained from computer solutions. The result of this optimization work makes possible a belter design of the satellite with lighter altitude control weight, shorter rod, lengths, and smaller earth‐pointing error than previously reported in articles in the Bell System Technical Journal.