The TIROS-wheel satellite is a weather-observation spacecraft developed by RCA under the technical direction of NASA. This paper describes the stabilization and control system, which utilizes the interaction of current-carrying coils with the earth's magnetic field. A theoretical description of the control techniques a s well a s typical flight results pertaining to attitude and spin control of TIROS IX and ESSA 1 a r e included. The system evolved from earlier TIROS programs which were initiated in 1958 on an experimental basis. TIROS IX, the prototype satellite of the TIROS Operational System (TOS), is a spin-stabilized vehicle designed to operate in a near-polar, sun-synchronous orbit. Nominal mission orientation requires that the spin axis be maintained perpendicular to the orbit plane (wheel mode). Furthermore, optimal camera operation for TOS depends upon the accurate maintenance of the spin rate. Simple, open-loop, magnetic-torquing techniques were utilized to acquire and maintain the desired satellite attitude and spin rate on TIROS IX.
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