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Measurement of the inertial properties of the Helios F-1 spacecraftA gravity pendulum method of measuring lateral moments of inertia of large structures with an error of less than 1% is outlined. The method is based on the fact that in a physical pendulum with a knife-edge support the distance from the axis of rotation to the system center of gravity determines the minimal period of oscillation and is equal to the system centroidal radius of gyration. The method is applied to results of a test procedure in which the Helios F-1 spacecraft was placed in a roll fixture with crossed flexure pivots as elastic constraints and system oscillation measurements were made with each of a set of added moment-of-inertia increments. Equations of motion are derived with allowance for the effect of the finite pivot radius and an error analysis is carried out to find the criterion for maximum accuracy in determining the square of the centroidal radius of gyration. The test procedure allows all measurements to be made with the specimen in upright position.
Document ID
19750063417
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Gayman, W. H.
(California Institute of Technology, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena Calif., United States)
Date Acquired
August 8, 2013
Publication Date
May 1, 1975
Subject Category
Spacecraft Design, Testing And Performance
Report/Patent Number
SAWE PAPER 1052
Meeting Information
Meeting: Society of Allied Weight Engineers, Annual Conference
Location: Seattle, WA
Start Date: May 5, 1975
End Date: May 7, 1975
Sponsors: Society of Allied Weight Engineers
Accession Number
75A47489
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS7-100
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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