Simultaneous Attitude Control and Energy Storage Using VSCMGs : Theory and Simulation

This work examines the simultaneous use of single-gimbal Variable Speed Control Moment Gyroscopes (VSCMGs) as spacecraft attitude control actuators and energy storage devices. The resulting theory is then used as the foundation for designing the VSCMG Workbench, a simulation tool designed to meet the Air Force Research Laboratory's need for a realistic/flexible compute simulation for conceptual analysis and hardware-in-the-loop testing. this tool allows both Georgia Tech and AFRL's Space Vehicles Directorate a low-cost alternative for analyzing the feasibility of employing a combined attitude control/energy storage system as well as the technical details to create such a system for different types of spacecraft. Its modularity permits adding more model fidelity in the future with little user training required.Air Force Inst of Tech Wright-Patterson AFB OH is the author of 'Simultaneous Attitude Control and Energy Storage Using VSCMGs : Theory and Simulation', published 2001 under ISBN 9781423528135 and ISBN 1423528131.