Gravity-gradient stabilization or tidal stabilization is a passive method of stabilizing artificial satellites or space tethers in a fixed orientation using only the mass distribution of the orbited b
Transit-O (Operational) navigation satellite with a gravity boom
OV1-86
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Orbiting Vehicle 1-86 was a satellite launched 27 July 1967 to measure the temperature radiation properties of different types of terrain. Part of the OV1 series of USAF satellites, using standardized
Gravity-gradient stabilization
…of three 15.5 m (51 ft)-long horizontal booms forming a 'y' and two 19 m (62 ft)-long vertical booms, Vertistat was used unsuccessfully on OV1-7, OV1-86, and OV1-17, but successfully on OV1-10 (launched 11 December 1966). Gravity-gradient stabilization for satellites was attempted but unsuccessful on…
OV1-86 on a cart awaiting installation on its Atlas rocket
OV1-86 oxygen radiometer
OV1-86 launch (installed in the side SPP)