Jitter Analysis

Predict spacecraft pointing performance from dynamic disturbances

LaFontaine Engineering assesses micro-vibration effects on precision payloads. Disturbance models, correlated structural dynamics, and time- and frequency-domain analyses connect hardware behavior to line-of-sight stability requirements.

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Inputs we work with

Reaction-wheel and other on-orbit disturbance measurements, imbalance forces, tonal and broadband content, speed profiles, structural models, test or flight data, and payload exposure timing. These inputs define physically consistent forcing functions for structural dynamics and control-structure interaction studies.

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Models and response predictions

• Correlation of modal frequencies, mode shapes, damping, and coupling paths between sources and sensitive payloads

• Reduced-order and modal-domain models that retain critical dynamic behavior

• Frequency-domain PSD/FRF and time-domain simulations for steady-state and transient conditions

• Assessment of tonal amplification, broadband response, wheel-speed changes, and mode crossings

• Line-of-sight equations mapping structural motion and rotation into optical or sensor pointing error

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Exposure and mitigation

Exposure-window analysis accounts for integration time, sampling, and temporal averaging so response metrics can be compared with payload requirements. Design trades can evaluate wheel isolation, structural stiffness and damping, mass distribution, operational constraints, and control-law tuning.

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Deliverables and next step

​Jitter predictions, performance assessments, and mitigation trades support design and requirement verification. Tell us about your disturbance sources, payload requirements, and available models: info@lafontaineengineering.com.