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Coupled motion of rigid bodies about their center of massNontrivial analytical solutions for the coupled motion of two rigid bodies about their center of mass are obtained on the assumptions that the rigid bodies are coupled by a massless rigid boom and that no external forces are acting on the system. Both relative rotational and translational motions of the two bodies are considered. General equations of motion are derived by regarding the two bodies as consisting of two distinct systems of particles and by applying the principle of conservation of angular momentum. It is shown that a basic nontrivial solution can be obtained for the translational problem if an assumption is made concerning the relative orientation of one principal axis of inertia of each body and that fundamental nontrivial solutions are readily obtained for the rotational problem if an additional assumption is made with respect to the symmetry of one body. Certain stability criteria are found for some of these motions by defining regions of constraint for the relative translational and rotational elements.
Document ID
19790045307
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Jezewski, D. J.
(NASA Johnson Space Center Mission Planning and Analysis Div., Houston, Tex., United States)
Donaldson, J. D.
(Tasmania, University Hobart, Australia)
Date Acquired
August 9, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1979
Publication Information
Publication: Celestial Mechanics
Volume: 19
Subject Category
Astrodynamics
Accession Number
79A29320
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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