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
- Radio Frequency Engineering: In the context of aerospace engineering, Radio Frequency (RF) Engineering is a sub-discipline that deals with the design, analysis, implementation, and maintenance of communication systems that operate in the radio frequency spectrum. These ... Read More >>
- Defense Systems: Defense Systems refer to the various technologies and systems used to protect a country or organization from external threats. In the context of space and astronautical engineering, defense systems include satellites, ground-based radar sys ... Read More >>
- VHF Radio: In the context of aerospace engineering, VHF (Very High Frequency) Radio refers to a type of radio communication system used in aviation. It operates in the frequency range of 108 to 137 MHz, which is divided into two bands: the COM band (1 ... Read More >>
Top News
This week on "Sunday Morning" (April 20)...
A look at the features for this week's broadcast of the Emmy-winning program, hosted by Jane Pauley....
News Source: CBS News on 2025-04-17
Scientists detect strongest hints yet of life on a distant planet...
Scientists have detected unique chemical patterns similar to those produced by the Earth's algae and seaweed — raising the possibility of the presence of a warm ocean, perhaps teeming with life, on ...
News Source: NBC News on 2025-04-17
Is there life on another planet? Scientists find the strongest evidence yet...
Near a planet far, far away astronomers have found traces of chemicals that on Earth are only produced by living beings....
News Source: Al Jazeera English on 2025-04-17
Scientists find strongest evidence yet of life on an alien planet | CNN...
In a potential landmark discovery, scientists using the James Webb Space Telescope have obtained what they call the strongest signs yet of possible life beyond our solar system, detecting in an alien ...
News Source: CNN on 2025-04-17
Katy Perry's trip to space wasn't inspirational. It was tone-deaf marketing....
Katy Perry indulged in a space tourism trip Monday, courtesy of Jeff Bezos' company. It's the latest in a long line of missteps for the singer....
News Source: Business Insider on 2025-04-14