This paper deals with the attitude motion of LEO satellites with deployable side panels designed for passive aerodynamic stabilization in a rarefied atmosphere. The influence of the aerodynamic and gravitational torques on the planar attitude motion near the unstable and stable equilibrium positions is studied. The presence of the unstable equilibrium position and small perturbations such as the oscillations of the flexible panels is the cause of chaos. A critical altitude is found above which the chaos is possible. The equations of planar attitude motion of the satellite with deployed flexible panels are obtained. The chaotic behavior of the system is demonstrated through numerical simulations of the attitude motion of a 3U CubeSat. The results of this paper can be used to analyze the applicability of passive aerodynamic stabilization for LEO satellites.

本文探讨了LEO卫星的姿态运动，其可展开侧板设计用于在稀薄大气中进行被动空气动力学稳定。研究了气动和重力转矩对不稳定和稳定平衡位置附近的平面姿态运动的影响。不稳定的平衡位置和小干扰（例如柔性面板的振动）的存在是造成混乱的原因。发现临界高度，在该高度以上可能发生混乱。得到了具有柔性面板展开的卫星的平面姿态运动方程。通过对3U CubeSat姿态运动的数值模拟，证明了系统的混沌行为。