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

In summary, the conversation discusses the possibility of using the tidal force of gravity to maintain the orientation of a telecommunication satellite in orbit without any mechanical intervention. It is suggested that this can be achieved using a long boom and making small corrections to prevent pendulum swinging. However, it is noted that the force of gravity is extremely small in comparison to other effects and may not be a practical solution. Links to further information on gravity gradient stabilisation are provided.
  • #1
firavia
137
0
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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  • #2
IIRC, it can be done using a long boom. However, small corrections may still be required to suppress 'pendulum' swinging...
 
  • #3
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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  • #4
Gravity gradient stabilisation

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

Google found a trove...
 
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  • #5
Thank you guys.
 

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

1. How does a satellite's tidal force affect its orientation?

A satellite's tidal force is the gravitational pull exerted by a larger celestial body, such as a planet, on the satellite. This force can cause the satellite to experience changes in its orientation, or the direction it is facing, as it orbits around the larger body.

2. Can the tidal force of a satellite cause it to lose interlock with its base station?

Yes, the tidal force of a satellite can affect its orientation and potentially cause it to lose interlock with its base station. This can happen if the tidal force is strong enough to disrupt the satellite's stability and cause it to drift away from its intended orbit.

3. How does the distance between a satellite and its base station impact the tidal force?

The closer a satellite is to its base station, the stronger the tidal force will be. This is because the gravitational pull between the two bodies is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. Therefore, a satellite in a lower orbit will experience a stronger tidal force compared to one in a higher orbit.

4. Can the tidal force of a satellite be controlled or mitigated?

Yes, the tidal force of a satellite can be controlled or mitigated through careful design and placement of the satellite's components. This can include using stabilizing mechanisms or adjusting the satellite's orbit to minimize the effects of tidal force.

5. Are there any other factors besides tidal force that can affect a satellite's orientation and interlock?

Yes, there are other factors such as solar radiation pressure, atmospheric drag, and gravitational interactions with other celestial bodies that can also affect a satellite's orientation and interlock. These factors must also be taken into consideration when designing and operating a satellite in orbit.

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