Spacecraft Attitude Control
Spacecraft Attitude Control is a branch of aerospace engineering that deals with the orientation of a spacecraft in relation to its environment or a celestial body, and the management of its rotation. The attitude of a spacecraft is its angular position and orientation in space, which is usually defined in relation to a reference coordinate system. The control of this attitude is necessary for the accurate positioning of onboard instruments, antennas, solar panels, and thrusters. The spacecraft's attitude can be controlled using various methods, including reaction wheels, control moment gyroscopes, thrusters, and magnetic torquers. The choice of method depends on the mission requirements, the spacecraft's design, and its operational environment. The process of attitude control involves sensing the spacecraft's current attitude, comparing it with the desired attitude, and applying the necessary control torques to minimize the difference. This is typically achieved through a feedback control loop, which uses sensors to measure the spacecraft's attitude and actuators to apply the control torques.
Your Previous Searches
Random Picks
- Weapons: In the context of space and astronautical engineering, weapons refer to any device or system designed to cause damage or destruction to a target in space. These can include kinetic weapons, such as missiles or projectiles, as well as direct ... Read More >>
- Air Sampling: Air Sampling is the process of collecting and analyzing air samples from different environments to determine the presence and concentration of various substances such as gases, particles, and microorganisms. In the context of space and astr ... Read More >>
- Reflective Material: Reflective material is a type of material that reflects light back to its source. In the context of space and astronautical engineering, reflective materials are used to control the temperature of spacecraft and satellites. These materials ... Read More >>
Top News
Bestselling author explains the science of happiness: "You can do the work"...
Bestselling author and Harvard professor Arthur Brooks opens up about how enjoyment, satisfaction and meaning in life can increase a person's wellbeing....
News Source: CBS News on 2024-11-18
November's full moon, known as the Beaver Moon, is the last supermoon of 2024. H...
November's full moon, known as the Beaver Moon, is the last supermoon of 2024. Here's when it peaks and why it's called the Beaver Moon....
News Source: CBS News on 2024-11-15
You can't put a price on the sense of awe particle physics inspires...
Astronomy and particle physics are no longer seen as vital by the US establishment, so funding has fallen. But our work creates a sense of wonder, and wonder matters, says Chanda Prescod-Weinstein...
News Source: New Scientist on 2024-11-13
If you want to stretch your gift game into days this holiday, check out these ad...
The advent calendar phenomenon is growing every year, with so many exciting, fun, beautiful, and delicious options available...
News Source: ABC News on 2024-11-04
November brings a bonanza of meteor showers...
November brings a skywatching bonanza, with three meteor showers — the Southern Taurids, Northern Taurids and Orionids — offering chances to see shooting stars....
News Source: NBC News on 2024-11-02