Chaotic attitude oscillations of a satellite filled with a rotating ellipsoidal mass of liquid subject to gravity-gradient torques

Abstract

The Hamiltonian equations of a liquid-filled satellite subject to gravity-gradient torques in terms of the generalized Deprit variables are established for applying the Melnikov theory formally. The heteroclinic orbits of the torque-free symmetric liquid-filled satellite are found. A criterion for the heteroclinic transversal intersections at the onset of chaotic attitude is formulated using Melnikov’s integral. The results from the Melnikov theory are crosschecked with simulation.