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)
Factors Influencing the Choice of an Orbital Propulsion System for Geostationary Satellites
1975
31 pages
Report
No indication
English
Unmanned Spacecraft , Communication satellites , Satellite attitude control , Spacecraft propulsion , Stationkeeping , Synchronous satellites , Chemical propulsion , Ion engines , Mission planning , Optimal control , Pointing control systems , Satellite perturbation , Stationary orbits , Steerable antennas , Thrust programming , Thrust-weight ratio
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