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Aerospace Engineering Commons

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2002

Artificial satellites--Orbits

Discipline

Articles 1 - 2 of 2

Full-Text Articles in Aerospace Engineering

Mean Performance Optimization Of An Orbiting Distributed Aperture By Warped Aperture Image Plane Comparisons, Timothy W. Parker Sep 2002

Mean Performance Optimization Of An Orbiting Distributed Aperture By Warped Aperture Image Plane Comparisons, Timothy W. Parker

Theses and Dissertations

This work models the aggregate performance of satellite receiver formations functioning as orbiting interferometers as compared to filled apertures of similar geometries. These models facilitate selecting initial conditions for formations such that their control-free dynamics yield interferometry performance with minimal errors as compared to the filled apertures. The solution method draws on the dynamic models of an orbiting planar satellite formation to define the size and shape of a reference aperture and to define the degrees of freedom for the formation members. The paths of formation elements yield geometries for which the aggregate performance of the array of discrete receivers …


Orbital Maneuvering Using Electrodynamic Tethers, Hakan San Mar 2002

Orbital Maneuvering Using Electrodynamic Tethers, Hakan San

Theses and Dissertations

Considerably short electrodynamic tethers can be used as a low-thrust propulsion system with minimum or no mass expenditure. The propulsive force is generated by inducing a current flow through the tether which interacts with the magnetosphere of the planet (i.e. Earth, Jupiter and other planetary bodies with magnetosphere). The basics of electrodynamic tether systems have been studied and successful experiments such as boost and de-boost of spacecraft have been conducted in the past. This study presents a simple guidance scheme for the current in the tether in order to perform orbital maneuvers. The general perturbation equations are used to develop …