Satellite's Tidal Force & Orientation: Can It Affect Interlock?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the effects of tidal forces on telecommunications satellites, specifically whether these forces can induce a torque that alters the satellite's orientation to maintain alignment with the Earth's surface. The scope includes theoretical considerations of gravitational effects and practical implications for satellite operation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions if the tidal force of gravity, due to the satellite's shape, can exert a torque that changes the satellite's orientation while in orbit, without mechanical intervention.
  • Another participant suggests that orientation can be managed using a long boom, but acknowledges that small corrections may be necessary to prevent pendulum-like swinging.
  • A different participant provides a formula related to tidal forces, indicating that for a satellite, these forces would be extremely small and likely negligible compared to other effects, suggesting that calculations could verify this assumption.
  • One participant references gravity gradient stabilization as a related concept, providing a link for further exploration.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the significance of tidal forces, with some suggesting they are negligible while others explore their potential effects. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the practical implications of these forces on satellite orientation.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the dependence on specific assumptions about satellite shape and orientation, as well as the unresolved nature of the calculations mentioned.

firavia
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some telecomunication satellites in orbits are made to be kept oriented in a certain way where their reception and broadcasting antenna or whatever is called should awalys face the Earth so while orbiting the satellite has to be interlocked with the surface of the earth.
My question is: can the tidal force of gravity due to the shape of the satellite exerce a torque on the latter in a way that changes the orientation of the satellite while orbiting to preserve the interlock of the antenna and the surface of the Earth ? disregarding any mechanical intervention through rocket thrust or anything else ?.
 
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IIRC, it can be done using a long boom. However, small corrections may still be required to suppress 'pendulum' swinging...
 
Thehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tidal_force" goes like [tex]\frac{l}{R^3}[/tex] for an object of length 'l' in the radial direction, and a distance R from the center of mass. For something like a satellite, this force would be extremely small, and I would guess entirely negligible in comparison to other effects.

You can easily do the calculation to check.
 
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Gravity gradient stabilisation

http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/ggse-1.htm

Google found a trove...
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Thank you guys.
 

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