PHASE PLANE ANALYSIS OF THE SOLAR-ARRAY STEPPING DYNAMICS AND ALTERNATIVE SLEWING STRATEGY

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.