16 questions linked to/from Rotating in orbit?
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### Why doesn't the ISS orient itself to the Earth's magnetic field like a compass needle?

I was watching this video of a magnet aboard the ISS floating freely. When the person lets go of the magnet, it behaves like a compass needle and immediately orients itself to the magnetic field of ...
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### Why aren't space telescopes put in GEO?

I don't know of any space telescope that has been placed in geosynchronous orbit among the communication satellites. I wonder why not? In GEO, a space telescope could use a single stationary radio ...
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### Is the cupola, on the inside of the ISS, cold or warm to the touch?

Does the temperature of the surface of the cupola vary when the ISS is in Earth's shadow, compared to when it is on day side of the Earth? Is it cold to the touch when the ISS in the shadow?
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### Is the difference in orbital velocity of different parts measurable on board the ISS?

When two objects are in different orbits of the same body, no matter how close they are, the inner object will always be faster - it will move farther away from the outer one (until it gets closer ...
512 views

### Are all or some geostationary satellites tidally locked to the Earth?

Satellites in geostationary orbit always remain above the same location on the Earth's surface, at an altitude of 35,786 kilometres (22,236 miles) above the equator. But I wonder whether they're also ...
413 views

### What are damper booms, and how do they facilitate triaxial stabilization?

I'd never heard of DODGE until I saw it mentioned this answer as the source of the first full color "full Earth" image. The spacecraft's primary function however was to experiment with ...
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### How does gravity-gradient stabilization work?

I understand there is a stabilizing force due to gravity gradient. What I'm unsure about is the stabilization part. How does it work? It looks like to me that this tidal force would just make the ...
298 views

### Do satellites in orbit undergo translational motion or rotational motion, when initially they are not given any additional spin?

Regarding the proposed duplicate: Thought the proposed duplicate has a similar titIe, I have read those answers and this question requires a different answer. We know satellites orbit around Earth, ...
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### What is a gravity gradient?

The statement: 'For most of that day, Mir remained in a "gravity gradient," (sic) which basically means that the most massive part of Mir naturally pointed toward Earth.' is in https://...
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### Typical 1U CubeSat Detumbling time determination using passive control?

I would like to be able to estimate roughly how long it takes for a 1U cubesat using a permanent magnet for passive control to detumble after the deployment at about 550 km. Assuming there is some ...
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### Could two satellites in the same orbit, but phased differently, be tethered in a sustainable manner?

Was reading this, and I immediately saw the problem with the angular momenta not lining up. Unfortunately, my mind likes to keep turning scenarios over and asking what would happen if ...
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### Could this satellite wobble in orbit creating additional orbital angular momentum?

This question asks if this type of steam engine would work: Could a steam Engine outperform other electric producing devices in space? this not a sterling engine since it has far less moving parts. ...
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### Equilibrium position of a very long object in orbit

Let's imagine we have delivered a very long/tall tower into orbit. It's a rigid construction, a couple hundred kilometers long, at altitude where air friction is entirely negligible. If we place it ...