The requirements of orbit control of geostationary communications satellites were investigated, and electrical propulsion for mission lives up to 15 years was compared. The mass of electrical propulsion is lower than that of chemical systems, even when mass penalties for the low reliability of the ion thrusters and the generation of electrical energy are taken into account. The free inclination drift orbit is an alternative to the high demands of north-south stationkeeping, but different pointing control and antenna steering is necessary. The influence of the orbit control system on the attitude control is discussed. The study was performed in connection with a definition study of a double gimballed momentum wheel, where realistic disturbance torques due to the orbit control system had to be estimated. (Author)


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Factors Influencing the Choice of an Orbital Propulsion System for Geostationary Satellites


    Contributors:

    Publication date :

    1975


    Size :

    31 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English





    Advanced Propulsion System Options for Geostationary Satellites

    Deininger, W. D. / American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics / Society of Automotive Engineers et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1994


    Commercialized Ion Propulsion for Geostationary Satellites

    Bassner, H. / Bohnhoff, K. | British Library Online Contents | 1997


    Commercialized Ion Propulsion for Geostationary Satellites

    Bassner, H. / Bohnhoff, K. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1997