Error Characterization of Motion Prediction of Tumbling Rigid Bodies

Abstract

The problem of predicting the tumbling motion of a free floating non-cooperative target object is addressed. In particular, the model equations governing the tumbling motion are presented and several analytic behaviors are presented. These model equations are used to identify the dynamic properties of the target, with estimated errors of identification, for purposes of predicting future behavior. The effects of that identification error are investigated, especially in regards to attitude error at a target future time. Chaotic domains for tumbling are investigated, in particular it is found that gravity gradient torque is sufficient to induce chaotic tumbling for earth orbiting satellites such as Envisat, while non-perturbed tumbling does not seem to be chaotic.