- #1
quitequick
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Consider a free floating spacecraft in space sufficiently far from any gravitational or other external forces. The spacecraft is equipped with attitude control thrusters. The thrusters fail and fire randomly and intermittently but symmetrically about the craft's centre of mass i.e. the craft is subject to a collection of random torque forces in magnitude and direction. Eventually, the thrusters all run out of fuel. The craft is now 'spinning randomly' about it's centre of mass.
Am I correct in thinking that this spin is in fact a rotation about a constant single arbitrary axis through the centre of mass and with a constant angular velocity? Intuitively to me, it feels like it should because to move the spin axis and therefore the mass of the craft would require some acceleration or force. But I know my intuition can be wrong!
If I am correct, I believe the implication is that if a comms satellite wants to have a certain constant orientation to the Earth e.g. to have an antenna always pointing to the surface, the satellite needs only initially induce a spin of 360 degrees per orbit of the earth. There would be no requirement for constant attitude correction (assuming no solar, atmospheric etc. external influences).
What do you think?
Am I correct in thinking that this spin is in fact a rotation about a constant single arbitrary axis through the centre of mass and with a constant angular velocity? Intuitively to me, it feels like it should because to move the spin axis and therefore the mass of the craft would require some acceleration or force. But I know my intuition can be wrong!
If I am correct, I believe the implication is that if a comms satellite wants to have a certain constant orientation to the Earth e.g. to have an antenna always pointing to the surface, the satellite needs only initially induce a spin of 360 degrees per orbit of the earth. There would be no requirement for constant attitude correction (assuming no solar, atmospheric etc. external influences).
What do you think?