AAS 95-373

Complex Analytic Solutions for a Spinning Rigid Body Under Constant Transverse Torques

L. A. Randall, J. M. Longuski and R. A. Beck, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN

Abstract

Spacecraft motion, in general, involves both rotation and translation. Using a complex variable formulation, analytic solutions are derived for the change in inertial velocity and angular momentum of a near-symmetric rigid body subject to constant body-fixed forces and transverse torques. These approximate analytic solutions are based on Euler's equations of motion and Euler angle kinematics. The compact form of the solutions allows for a more efficient computer code and yields greater insight into the dynamics of the motion. Numerical simulations verify that the solutions are highly accurate for a wide range of spacecraft motion.