This Report describes the automatic control techniques developed and used for the operational control of Miranda (X4), the first British 3-axis stabilised satellite. The operational control techniques are a development of those used for Prospero and the more important improvements are described. Explanation of, and experience in the use of these techniques during the lifetime of the satellite are given. (Author)
The operational activities at the RAE Satellite Control Centre on the mornings of 10 March and 21 May 1974 when the Miranda satellite was in an 'electronically disturbed' state are described. The controller returned the satellite to its planned state using automatic techniques within the timescale of each pass and thus prevented possible mission failure. (Author)
The report discusses the limitations and sources of error introduced into magnetic aspect sensors when installed in a sounding rocket. Typical values of the errors resulting from the magnetic properties of the rocket and its associated electromagnetic instrumentation are given. An attempt to reduce the errors by pre-flight calibration of the rocket head is discussed, and the techniques employed in the method given. Other methods by which the errors may ...
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