Chaotic attitude oscillations of a satellite filled with a rotating ellipsoidal mass of liquid subject to gravity-gradient torques

The Hamiltonian equations of a liquid-filled satellite subject to gravity-gradient torques in terms of the generalized Deprit variables are established for applying the Melnikov theory formally. The heteroclinic orbits of the torque-free symmetric liquid-filled satellite are found. A criterion for the heteroclinic transversal intersections at the onset of chaotic attitude is formulated using Melnikov's integral. The results from the Melnikov theory are crosschecked with simulation. (C) 2004 American Institute of Physics.