Abstract
The paper describes the evolution of attitude control techniques within the framework of the TIROS weather satellite program, starting in about 1958, which led to a particularly simple stabilization system used in the operational weather satellite system now being implemented for the United States Weather Bureau by NASA and RCA. The stabilization system employs a controlled form of simple spin stabilization, exploiting control torques generated by interaction with the earth’s magnetic field, to achieve in effect the same results which would be provided by a completely stabilized earth-oriented spacecraft. Possible future evolution of the basic ideas is also discussed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsPreview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
“Proceedings of the Symposium on Meteorology from Space,” Journal of the British Interplanetary Society, May–June 1964, Vol. 19, No. 9.
“A Quasi Global Presentation of TIROS III Radiation Data,” by L. J. Allison, T. I. Gray, Jr., and Guenther Warnecke, NASA SP-53, 1964.
“Angular Motion of the Spin Axis of the TIROS I Meteorological Satellite Due to Magnetic and Gravitational Torques,” W. Bandeen and W. P. Manger, Journal of Geophysical Research, September, 1960.
“Magnetic Attitude Control of the TIROS Satellites,” E. Hecht and W. P. Manger, American Astronautical Society Paper No. 62-44, March, 1962.
“Attitude Determination and Prediction of of Spin-Stabilized Satellites,” L.C. Thomas and J.O. Capellari, Bell System Technical Journal, Vo. 43 pp. 1657-1726, July, Part 2, 1964.
“The TIROS-Wheel Spacecraft with Canted TIROS Cameras, Design Study Report, Contract No. NAS5-3344, prepared by Radio Corporation of America for Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA, Jan. 15, 1964.
“Flywheel Stabilized Magnetically Torqued Attitude Control System for Meteorological Satellites Study Program” Final Report, Contract No. NAS5-3886, prepared by Radio Corporation of America for Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA, Dec. 4, 1964.
“Design Report for the TIROS Operation Satellite (TOS) System,” Contract No. NAS5-3173, prepared by Radio Corporation of America for Goddard Space Flight Center, Dec. 30, 1964.
“nutational Stability of an Axisymetric Body Containing a Rotor,” V.D. Landon and Brian Stewart, Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, p. 682, Nov.–Dec. 1964.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1966 Springer Science+Business Media New York
About this paper
Cite this paper
Manger, W.P. (1966). Attitude Control for the TIROS Weather Satellites. In: Aseltine, J.A. (eds) Peaceful Uses of Automation in Outer Space. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-6411-3_16
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-6411-3_16
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-1-4899-6203-4
Online ISBN: 978-1-4899-6411-3
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive