93-137

Rapid Solution Of Time Optimal Rotational Maneuvers Of An Axi-Symmetric Spacecraft

Robert M. Byers

Abstract

The nature of time optimal rotations of an axi-symmetric body is examined. In particular the effect of the gyroscopic coupling terms in Euler's equations is examined for such a body and the effect of these terms on the control switch times is discussed. A method for recursively generating coefficient for a truncated Taylor series solution of Euler's equations and the differential equations for the Euler parameter state transition matrix is shown. These solutions are used to solve for the optimal control switch times.
*Assistant Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida 32816 Member AIAA