Engineering Commons^™

The Determination Of Remaining Satellite Propellant Using Measured Moments Of Inertia, Jason W. Geitgey

Theses and Dissertations

This research is designed to demonstrate that a change in satellite propellant can be determined using measured moments of inertia (MOI) from a satellite. Because satellites are currently incapable of being refueled in orbit it is important to have multiple methods to determine the remaining fuel onboard. This research can also support satellite operator selection of control-system gains to improve performance or recover the spacecraft. To meet the research objectives, new mathematical models of the Air Force Institute of Technology's Simulated Satellite (SimSat) were developed. These models were created using dynamic response analysis techniques on the reaction wheel and SimSat …