AAS 97-658

LARGE ANGLE IMPULSIVE REORIENTATION OF ASYMMETRIC SPACECRAFT WITH INPUT CONSTRAINT

S. Cho, Y-M Cheng, and J. E. Cochran Jr. - Auburn University

Abstract

Impulsive reorientation has been investigated as an alternative method for controlling the attitude of an axisymmetric or asymmetric rigid spacecraft. In this ideal case, the magnitude of the torque is unconstrained and the angular momentum of the body can be changed in zero time. Practically, this ideal condition is not achievable. In this paper, we study the effects of placing realistic constraints on the torque available for reorientation.