Re: [amsat-bb] AO40: status

["Frederick M. Spinner" <fspinner@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Wouldn't that imply that even a normal burn would increase the spin
rate?  If so, has experience shown that in the past on other satellites that 
this happens?

Fred W0FMS

>Whoaa, how about this!  Doesnt matter where the leak is.  If we have a 500
>Kg spacecraft spinning at X RPM, and then release say 250Kg of its mass
>(lost propellant) then conservation of angular momentum will require the
>satellite to spin up (double its speed all else being equal (its not),
>but close enough)...
>
>Its not that the mass had to move to the center like a spinning skater
>which is a change in moment of inertia, but a loss of mass with no loss in
>angular momentum.  Thus it must spin up.
>

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