Fundamental Experiments for Attitude Control of a Low Earth Orbit Satellite Using Ion Drag

Generally, reaction wheels or thrusters are used for attitude control of a satellite. There is a potential method for the attitude control utilizing the plasma flow on the Low Earth Orbit. In the present study, experiments which simulate attitude control of a Low Earth Orbit Satellite using the ionosphere were conducted. In this experiment, a plasma flow was generated by a steady-state Hall type accelerator. However it is known that the Hall type accelerator, which is used as plasma source, produces a torque around its axis called "swirl torque". This torque would affect the attitude control in the above-mentioned experiments. First of all, we conducted the measurement of the swirl torque. Secondly, experiments using a satellite model with negative electrodes were conducted. The negative electrodes generated torque around the axis, and controlled the attitude of the satellite model by changing the applied voltage.