Slew (spacecraft)
The slew of a spacecraft is its orientation in reference to a plane or fixed position such as Earth, the Sun, another celestial body or other point in space. When moving to assume such an orientation, the spacecraft is slewing.[1][2][3]
During spaceflight, a craft's attitude must be controlled for reasons depending on the craft's mission. Keeping a spacecraft slewed properly is vital for ensuring that its antenna remains oriented toward Earth for sending and receiving data and commands. Additionally with many craft, keeping their solar arrays angled toward the Sun optimizes their power absorption and reduces the craft's reliance on internal power systems. Thermal heating and cooling of a craft and its subsystems can also be controlled by the craft's orientation. Cameras or other sensing equipment that are fixed into position upon the craft need to be aimed by slewing the craft. A spacecraft can either be spin stabilized or 3-axis stabilized to maintain proper orientation.[4]
For
The slew of
See also
- Attitude control (spacecraft)
- Flight dynamics (spacecraft)
- Reaction control system
References
- ^ "PIA14805: A Sideways Glance". Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 2012-01-01.
- ^ "Tycho Central Peak Spectacular!". NASA's Lunar Science Institute. Retrieved 2012-01-01.
- ^ "GCN GRB Observation Report". NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. Retrieved 2012-01-01.
- ^ "Basics of Space Flight: Section II". Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 2012-01-01.
- ^ "Dictionary of Technical Terms for Space". NASA's Software, Robotics and Simulation Division. Retrieved 2012-01-01.