Geomagnetic Rotational Retardation of Satellite 1959α1 (Vanguard II)

Wilson, Raymond H.

doi:10.1126/science.131.3395.223

Cited by 6 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 3 publications

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“…In the 1960s, space physicists devoted a good deal of attention to the natural torques acting on spacecraft, with the hope of controlling their attitude without active propulsion systems; for example, by activating magnets inside a spacecraft orbiting in the magnetic field of the Earth one could control its attitude [Wilson, 1959[Wilson, , 1960[Wilson, , 1964Hecht and Manger, 1964]. Colombo investigated the rotation of Explorer XI and studied the torques induced by the gravitational gradient [Colombo, 1964] and by permanent magnetization with hysteresis effects [Colombo, 1967].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The rotation of LAGEOS

Bertotti¹,

Iess²

1991

J. Geophys. Res.

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In view of the need of an accurate modelling of nongravitational forces on laser‐tracked satellites, it is important to understand their rotational dynamics, which determines the temperature anisotropy and the ensuing radiation recoil effects. We propose a model of the torques acting on LAGEOS due to eddy currents and gravity gradient. The electromotive forces induced in the spacecraft by its rotation in the magnetic field of the Earth dissipate angular momentum and produce a precession of the spin axis; the oblate spacecraft will precess in the gravitational field of the Earth at a rate proportional to the rotation period. Therefore the gravitational torques become more and more important with time and eventually may produce a chaotic dynamics. The predicted evolution of the spin period agrees very well with the few experimental data available and corresponds to an approximately exponential growth rate of about 3 years.

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