Early Bird Placement in a Stationary Orbit: Launch and Control System Maneuvers

Abstract Launching the spin-stabilized Early Bird satellite into a stationary orbit involves a number of different orbit and orientation maneuvers. This paper describes the Early Bird hydrogen peroxide orbit control and orientation system and gives details of the sequence of maneuvers required after transfer ellipse injection until final placement in a stationary orbit. The methods of calculation of maneuver parameters, as well as numerical examples of certain Early Bird orbit changes and maneuver parameters are given. The effects of the principal long-term disturbing forces on the satellite are also discussed.