Vanguard Satellite Spin-reduction Mechanism

Download or read book Vanguard Satellite Spin-reduction Mechanism written by Robert C. Baumann and published by . This book was released on 1961 with total page 32 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Cloud Cover Satellite flown in Vanguard vehicles SLV-3 and SLV-4 required a spin rate of 55 r.p.m. when entering orbit. Since the third-stage rocket was spin-stabilized in flight, and because other considerations required that the satellite remain attached long enough to acquire more than the desired 55 r.p.m., a satellite spin-reduction mechanism was developed. Although the mechanisms functioned properly in both flights, the desired spin rate was not achieved owing to uncontrollable flight effects. These effects make the prediction of satellite spin rates after a long pre-separation coasting period extremely difficult. To meet future requirements a control system is needed which can orient a payload according to a predetermined scheme and maintain that orientation for the desired period.