Spacecraft Attitude Control Using Inertial Morphing

This research explores the application of Inertial Morphing (IM) as an alternative method for spacecraft attitude control. The primary objective is to design and develop a smart mechatronic prototype with IM capabilities, representing a spacecraft, to experimentally demonstrate attitude control using the Garriott's-Dzhanibekov's effect and understand the parameters that would help in the design process. The research uses Euler equations of rigid body motion to measure angular velocities, while angular momentum sphere and kinetic energy ellipsoid from classical mechanics to visualize the motion of the experiments. Exploring key non dimensional parameters that can be utilized for initial development of a system performing IM is explained. Detailed CAD designs of two prototypes with IM capabilities were developed using AutoDesk's Fusion 360 software and advance simulations were conducted using the Application Programming Interface (API) for real time analysis of the designs during development. The prototype explores two different types of scissors mechanisms and one with a single moving component. The design analysis explores key parameters to consider for future design of IM systems for specific time period to perform inversions. The experiments required a microgravity environment and the prototypes were developed in compliance with the parabolic flights. But for rapid experimental analysis, an air-bearing type test setup wad developed to provide floatation to the prototype in the air with very little friction. This research uses the developed test setup prove the concept of IM with the prototype. The final part of the research is performing analysis on current or past spacecrafts properties to determine the time period of flipping motion, if they would ever spin about the intermediate axis. Additionally, another IM technique is explored with CubeSat as a representation to investigate IM and its feasibility on existing satellites.<p></p>