DYNAMICS OF AN ASYMMETRIC GYROSTAT

The nonlinear despin dynamics of a gyrostat with a symmetric balanced platform and an asymmetric rotor (can he balanced or unbalanced) is st udied. A numerical scheme is provided for computing the multiple equil ibria as well as their bifurcation properties. The major purpose is to determine the boundary curves between normal-spin and flat-spin trans itions in terms of motor torque magnitude and initial conditions, roto r asymmetry, and imbalance, when the torque is not considered small. R esults show alternating regions of normal-and hat-spin states in the r ange of torque magnitude.