Date of Award

3-22-2007

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Astronautical Engineering

Department

Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics

First Advisor

William E. Wiesel, PhD

Abstract

Attitude control is a requirement for most satellites. Many schemes have been devised over the years including control moment gyros, reaction wheels, spin stabilization and gravity gradient stabilization. For low Earth orbits, the Earth's atmosphere can have an affect on a satellite's orbit and attitude. This research effort examines the feasibility of using the atmosphere to actively control a spacecraft's attitude using drag panels. Using the atmosphere to control spacecraft attitude has been researched in the past however very little research has been done using an active feedback control system to maintain spacecraft attitude. A linear computer model was created using a proportional controller. This model was used to evaluate the effectiveness of using drag panels for attitude control. Results from the simulation show that the spacecraft can recover from disturbance torques that may cause a change in attitude very effectively especially at low altitudes (200-300km). Settling time increases as altitude increases and varies from minutes to weeks.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-GA-ENY-07-M10

DTIC Accession Number

ADA469265

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Astrodynamics Commons

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