Yo-yo de-spin

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PAM-D with the Phoenix spacecraft . It is successfully stabilized, fired, and deployed.

The yo-yo de-spin (from English to de-spin , literally ' reduce your own rotation with yo-yos ', translated 'fix in space' or 'stabilize') describes a process of stabilizing movement , which often occurs shortly after in artificial satellites or sounding rockets the start takes place. It serves to reduce the spin stabilization of the object or to bring it to a virtual standstill.

The instrument used here consists of one or more cables that are attached in or on the outer skin of the object to be stabilized. One end of each cable can be provided with additional weight. In the process, the often weighted end is released by a built-in mechanism and the cable unfolds or unwinds. This increases the radius of the object, which slows down its rotation ( conservation of angular momentum ).

The stabilization takes place as far as possible only if no thrust is generated by engines at the same time .

Individual evidence

  1. a b J. V. Fedor: Theory and design curves for a yo-yo de-spin mechanism for satellites. Introduction. In: AD 260758. Armed Services Technical Information Agency, p. 1 , accessed on May 28, 2016 (English): “The yo-yo de-spin mechanism is essentially two pieces of wire with weights on theends (Figure 1). These wires are symmetrically wrapped around the equator of the satellite and the weights are secured by a release mechanism (Figure 2). "