Dynamics of an axisymmetric gyrostat satellite moving along a circular orbit in the central Newtonian gravitational field is investigated. All equilibrium orientations of the gyrostat satellite in the orbital coordinate system are determined. Boundaries of domains in the space of parameters which correspond to fixed number of equilibria are determined. It is shown that the number of equilibria of the gyrostat satellite not be less than 8 and not more than 16. Parameter dependence of domains, where sufficient conditions of stability are verified, is investigated.

axisymmetric gyrostat satellite, gravitational torque, equilibria, stability, bifurcation points

Theoretical and applied problems of mechanics