Stopping Rocket Spin: A Space Physics Mystery

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around techniques used to stop or slow the rotation of rockets or satellites after launch, particularly referencing methods from the 1950s and 1960s. Participants explore historical practices in space physics related to satellite launch and rotation control.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Historical

Main Points Raised

  • One participant recalls a method involving a mass on a tether that unwinds to redistribute angular momentum, suggesting it was a technique used in the past.
  • Another participant expresses skepticism about the feasibility of the tether method, describing it as complex and likening it to a "Rube Goldberg" invention, while noting that modern rockets use small attitude control rockets for rotation management.
  • A third participant emphasizes the historical context, arguing that the techniques discussed were plausible given the technological limitations of the time, and questions the dismissal of the method as fanciful.
  • A later reply references a wiki article that confirms the existence of the method discussed, providing a sense of validation for the original claim.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus; there are competing views regarding the validity and practicality of the tether method for stopping rocket spin, with some expressing skepticism and others defending its historical use.

Contextual Notes

The discussion reflects uncertainty about the specific techniques used historically, as well as differing interpretations of their complexity and effectiveness. There are unresolved questions about the technological context of the 1950s and 1960s.

sophiecentaur
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When I was at Uni, in the 60s, we had a brief course on 'Space Physics'. It had a hotch potch of topics in it and one of them was about actually launching satellites.
'In those days', apparently, vehicles were rotated during the launch and this rotation had to be eliminated once they were in orbit. I have a vague memory of being told about about a technique that was described for slowing or stopping the rotation which consisted of a mass on a tether that was wrapped around the rocket / satellite. As it unwound, it was supposed to re-distribute the angular momentum to leave part of the load not spinning.
Does anyone know about this? It has been bugging me for years because I just can't remember the details or work out from scratch what they did.
 
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I've never heard of such a thing! It sounds very complex and "Rube Goldberg"ish to me. My understanding is that rotation is controlled by small rockets on the body that fire tangent to the rocket body. The U.S. space shuttle, which has wings, has small "attitude rockets" on the wings that first perpendicular to the wings.
 
You are talking in the present tense. I refer to techniques that were used, presumably in the '50s.
I don't think that the course at Reading Uni was particularly 'fanciful' and the textbook was ok in other respects, so I'm sure it wasn't just moonshine. (Shame is that I only ditched the book a few years ago - pre my membership of PF). If you remember, in those days, even a simple directional servo wasn't all that simple to achieve. If you could just load a vehicle with a coil of twine and a small mass and then guarantee to eliminate spin, it would be easier than a load of valves and batteries.
[Edit: PS. Rube Goldberg had his English equivalents in Heath Robinson and Emmet. Great fun and the source of many money making inventions for sure]
 
I just found a reference to what I was talking about: HERE.

At last - I can relax, it was really used! Some great references at the end of the wiki article.
 

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