First, my sincere thanks to Terry VK5GU for downloading and analysing the data in my absence over the last 3 weeks.
Secondly, thanks to Jason Flynn for the YouTube video detailing The Dzhanibekov Effect, which I believe precisely fits AO-73’s behaviour.
After viewing the video a number of times and following Dr Terry Tao’s logical explanation I can totally understand why AO-73 behaves as such.
In our case we just have to revise the axes, from those in the example discussed in the video.
I believe the +X and +Y Solar Panel Temperature Profiles neatly fit Dr Tao’s logic when it flips.
Spin Period
15 Nov 2019 = 18.2 seconds (from averaged panel temperatures)
16 Nov 2019 = 18.3 seconds (from averaged panel temperatures)
17 Nov 2019 = 18.4 seconds (from averaged panel temperatures)
18 Nov 2019 = 18.2 seconds (from averaged panel temperatures)
19 Nov 2019 = 19.5 seconds (from averaged panel temperatures)
20 Nov 2019 = 21.4 seconds (from averaged panel temperatures)
21 Nov 2019 = 21.4 seconds (from averaged panel temperatures)
On the 14th November AO-73 reversed it spin direction back to what we now as the norm.
On the 19th November AO-73 commenced randomly reversing direction.
On the 19th and 20th November based on the VK downloads it appeared to be randomly reversed on an orbit by orbit basis.
On the 21st November 1800utc onwards, AO-73 was reversing during each pass.
What awaits us this coming week?
Congratulations to AO-73 on its 6th Birthday.
What a magnificent and reliable satellite.
73 de Colin VK5HI.