Ps. Goel et al., PHASE PLANE ANALYSIS OF THE SOLAR-ARRAY STEPPING DYNAMICS AND ALTERNATIVE SLEWING STRATEGY, Acta astronautica, 32(4), 1994, pp. 267-273
Phase plane method of analysis is proposed to derive the correct set o
f pulse widths and stepping periods for the stepping motion of the sol
ar array in three-axis stabilized satellites. For this torquing strate
gy, the adverse effect of the array flexibility is also brought out th
rough simulation studies. Alternatively, a new torquing strategy sugge
sted here, is found to slew the array at any desired rate in a smooth
manner and the success of slew is insensitive to moment of inertia, to
rque generated, friction torque and the flexibility parameters.