Regular and chaotic rotations of a
satellite in sunlight flux.
Three-dimensional motion of a symmetrical satellite about its centre of mass under the solar
radiation torques is considered. The satellite has an axially symmetrical solar stabilizer and a set of
reflecting paddles arranged like a windmill. The equations in evolutionary variables are studied. The phase
space structure is investigated. By means of numerical computation of Poincaré maps, the phase trajectories
are built. The regular (resonant and quasi-periodic), semi-regular (intermittent) and chaotic trajectories
are distinguished. The evolution of phase portraits with change of parameters has been traced.
V.V.Beletsky, E.L.Starostin
In: Nonlinearity and Chaos in Engineering
Dynamics, ed. by J.M.T.Thompson, S.R.Bishop; John Wiley & Sons, 1994,
pp. 193-204.
Abstract