Chaotic attitude motion of satellites under small perturbation torques

In this paper, the chaotic attitude motion of dissipative satellites under small perturbation torques is investigated by using the Deprit's canonical variables in the standard Hamiltonian Form. Melnikov's integral is used to predict the transversal intersections of the stable and unstable manifolds for the satellites in perturbation. The theoretical criterion of chaotic at titude motion of the perturbed satellites will be derived from the Melnikov integral. Two models of satellites are studied. The first model is a quasi -rigid, energy-dissipating satellite subject to the time-periodic, non-Hami ltonian perturbation torques. The second model is a gyrostat satellite unde r small perturbation torques. It will be shown that, in terms of Deprit's v ariables, the equations of the attitude motion of the satellites can be eas ily transformed into the Hamiltonian form which is suitable for the applica tion of Melnikov's method to some cases of complex, small perturbation torq ues. (C) 2000 Academic Press.