ABUSTRACT: INDEX (REIMEI) is a small satellite with 72kg mass, and is provided with three-axis attitude controlled capabilities for aurora observation. REIMEI was launched into a nearly sun synchronous polar orbit on Aug. 23 rd , 2005 (UT) from Baikonur, Kazakhstan by Dnepr rocket. REIMEI satellite functions works satisfactorily in the orbit. Three axis control is achieved with accuracy of 0.05 deg. Multi-spectrum images of aurora are taken with 8Hz rate and 2 km spatial resolution and are being analyzed to investigate the aurora physics.
A Whale Ecology Observation Satellite (WEOS) was successfully launched on December 14th, 2002. We adopted a single-axis magnetic torquer damping control and gravity gradient attitude stabilization for WEOS. It is the first trial in Japan for pointing communications antennas towards Earth, and the GPS antenna towards zenith. The damping control and attitude stabilization system of WEOS consists of a three-axis magnetometer, a magnetic torquer coil, a deployable mast with a fixed mass at the tip, and attitude control software. This system carried out rate damping control of the principal axis of the maximum moment of inertia and earth pointing attitude stabilization. Immediately after separation from the H-IIA-4 launch vehicle, WEOS tumbled due to the imbalance force of the three separation springs. The tumbling was reduced by the closed-loop damping control and then the mast was deployed. After 1 week, we confirmed the establishment of the gravity gradient attitude stabilization. This paper describes the attitude control system, operation procedure, and control results.
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