Synthesis of Work Concerning Eddy Current Pendular Nutation Damper. Application to the Rating and Checking of a Rotating Simulator

摘要

Eddy current nutation dampers for spin stabilized spacecraft are presented. The performance and the characteristic parameters of this pendular nutation damper are estimated and compared with the Mercury nutation damper developed for the Meteosat Project. A theoretical model of the motion damping is explained. Results lead to the design of an experiment which measures intrinsic damping parameters, given the design of the elastic suspension of the damper. The test was carried out on an air bearing simulator. Attainable precision demonstrated during this test indicates that the test rig is suitable for application in the certification of various satellite spin stabilization systems.