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Residual motions caused by micro-gravitational accelerationsIt is shown here that, under certain conditions, the low-frequency accelerations on experiments being performed aboard orbiting spacecraft due to gravity gradient, atmospheric drag, and spacecraft attitude or orientation can cause sustained fluid motions which require correction by advanced mass compensation techniques. The gravity gradient tensor is derived, and an expression for the difference between the absolute accelerations of a free particle and the mass center of the spacecraft is obtained. A model for the variation of atmospheric density with altitude is discussed, the equations governing the relative motion of a drag-free particle with respect to the mass center of the spacecraft are presented, and analytical and numerical solutions are obtained. Two possible spacecraft altitudes are considered. The problem of the Stokes motion of a sphere immersed in a viscous fluid is examined. Results are presented for the motion of a steel ball in water and for a triglycine sulfate crystal freely suspended in solution.
Document ID
19870063095
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Alexander, J. Iwan D.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Lundquist, Charles A.
(Alabama, University Huntsville, United States)
Date Acquired
August 13, 2013
Publication Date
June 1, 1987
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of the Astronautical Sciences
Volume: 35
ISSN: 0021-9142
Subject Category
Astrodynamics
Accession Number
87A50369
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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