Roll Resonance and Passive Roll Control of Magneticaly Stabilized Satellies

The resonant roll solutions of the magnetically stabilized satellite are investigated using a variational approach. The variational problem is solved by the numerical method of Ritz. A parameter study is made for the case of the satellite ESRO I. The basic properties of the different classes of solution are discussed. Emphasis is laid on the class of rotational solutions. A policy for the optimal selection of the inertial parameters is defined. The optimized spacecraft sustains stable rotational roll motions. The policy allows control of the class of roll motions in a passive way. The results of the analysis generally agree with observed ESRO I flight data.