The flight results were documented and compared to predicted performance. The data
included attitude, momentum, and gimbal rates during the maneuver. Flight reconstruction
was performed to resolve discrepancies between predicted and flight results.
The impact of this new technology is to substantially reduce ISS lifetime propellant use, and
avoid solar array contamination and loads. Future applications that can also be performed non-
propulsively include maneuvering the ISS to unload accumulated CMG momentum, recovering
attitude control when CMGs are saturated, and recovering attitude control in the event of a
tumbling ISS. Since ZPM will also reduce propellant consumption for maneuvers using thrusters,
it can also be used for future long-duration space exploration missions where propellant savings
are even more valuable than for ISS and will allow for increased payload and provisions.
PUBLICATION(S)
Bedrossian N, Bhatt SA, Lammers M, Nguyen L, Zhang Y. First ever flight demonstration of zero
propellant maneuver attitude control concept. AIAA Guidance, Navigation and Control
Conference, Hilton Head, SC; 2007.
Bedrossian N, Bhatt SA, Lammers M, Nguyen L. Zero propellant maneuver flight results for
180deg ISS rotation. 20th International Symposium on Spaceflight Dynamics, Annapolis, MD;
2007.
Kang W, Bedrossian N. Pseudospectral optimal control theory makes debut flight, saves NASA
1M dollars in under three hours. Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics News, 2007;
40(7).
This investigation is complete and all results are published.