Proportional helium thrusters for Gravity Probe B. (17th November 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: DeBra, D; Bencze, W J; Everitt, C W F; VandenBeukel, J; Kirschenbaum, J
• Is Part Of: Classical and quantum gravity. Volume 32:Number 22(2015:Nov.)
• Publication Date: 2015-11-17
• Subjects: Gravity Probe B (GP-B) -- general relativity -- helium thrusters -- actuator; Quantum gravity -- Periodicals; Gravitation -- Periodicals; Relativity (Physics) -- Periodicals; Space and time -- Periodicals; Periodicals; 521.1
• DOI: 10.1088/0264-9381/32/22/224016
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-9381

Abstract

Abstract: The Gravity Probe B (GP-B) satellite used electrostatically suspended gyroscopes to test two predictions of general relativity. Here, we describe the satellite's proportional thrusters, which utilized boil-off helium gas for attitude and translation Control (ATC). The evolution of the design and its successful effect on orbit performance is reported.