Draper-Developed Trajectory Maneuvers Space Station Without Using Propellant

Draper-Developed Trajectory Maneuvers Space Station Without Using Propellant
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/070103/20070....v=1&printer=1

Wednesday January 3, 12:25 pm ET

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A new method developed by Draper Laboratory for
performing large angle rotations of the International Space Station (ISS)
was flight tested successfully on November 5. By scheduling a series of
commands to the ISS Control Moment Gyro (CMG) attitude controller, the ISS
was maneuvered through a pre-planned trajectory, referred to as the Zero
Propellant Maneuver (ZPM). The ZPM is accomplished using the current Station
controllers and effectors without modification to flight software.

Huh...

I thought Draper made hacksaw blades... just goes to show...:-)

Brian

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"Jim Oberg" wrote in message
...
Draper-Developed Trajectory Maneuvers Space Station Without Using
Propellant
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/070103/20070....v=1&printer=1

Wednesday January 3, 12:25 pm ET

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A new method developed by Draper Laboratory for
performing large angle rotations of the International Space Station (ISS)
was flight tested successfully on November 5. By scheduling a series of
commands to the ISS Control Moment Gyro (CMG) attitude controller, the ISS
was maneuvered through a pre-planned trajectory, referred to as the Zero
Propellant Maneuver (ZPM). The ZPM is accomplished using the current
Station controllers and effectors without modification to flight software.

"Jim Oberg"

A new method developed by Draper Laboratory for performing large angle
rotations

This was initially confusing to me, since if the CMGs are not useful for
large angle maneuvers, how did it do it this time?

Turns out that the CMGs are not being used to muscle the ISS around. It
instead peforms the function of a rudder, allowing trace atmospheric or
solar radiation forces to act in the desired vector to accomplish the
move.





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"Revision" wrote in message
...

"Jim Oberg"

A new method developed by Draper Laboratory for performing large angle
rotations

This was initially confusing to me, since if the CMGs are not useful for
large angle maneuvers, how did it do it this time?

Turns out that the CMGs are not being used to muscle the ISS around. It
instead peforms the function of a rudder, allowing trace atmospheric or
solar radiation forces to act in the desired vector to accomplish the
move.


Those guys at Draper are AMAZING.

Danny Deger