Starlink shape

[MajorTomtom]

Hello,

I just saw the odd design of the Starlink satellites, with the single solar array deployed upwards and the electric propulsion on the platform. I wonder, how does the whole thing remains stable ? I mean, during their electric burn phase to reach their orbit they have to use the thruster, and I guess the center of mass of the satellite is somewhere near a third of the solar panel height, so there must be a huge parasitic torque created ? Do you have any idea on how they keep it stable ?

Thanks in advance

[kerbiloid]

Spoiler

They believe, it's a sail.

 

[Geonovast]

I seriously doubt the CoM is that high up the solar panel.

Regardless of where it is, if the CoT and CoM line up, it won't be a problem.  There wouldn't be any torque applied.  If the CoM is up the sail at all, the nozzle would simply be angled to compensate for it, just like how rocket engines gimble to adjust for a moving CoM.

To an observer used to Sci-Fi, the space shuttle probably looked pretty stupid with its OMS burns.

I love how I did a google image search for "Space Shuttle Center Of Mass" and like half the results are KSP pictures.

[mikegarrison]

9 hours ago, MajorTomtom said:

Hello,

I just saw the odd design of the Starlink satellites, with the single solar array deployed upwards and the electric propulsion on the platform. I wonder, how does the whole thing remains stable ? I mean, during their electric burn phase to reach their orbit they have to use the thruster, and I guess the center of mass of the satellite is somewhere near a third of the solar panel height, so there must be a huge parasitic torque created ? Do you have any idea on how they keep it stable ?

Thanks in advance

Tidal forces will tend to lock satellites into a constant alignment toward the Earth, just like they do the moon. You just need to design them with a little cleverness and make sure that the alignment they are locked into is the one you want.

As for their stability under thrust, remember that the thrust from an electric engine is very small. Maybe it's smaller than the tidal forces?

Edited May 28, 2019 by mikegarrison