Gravity Gradient Orientation of the Mir-Shuttle Coupler

During MIR-SHUTTLE STS-71 mission in July of 1995 part of the flight was free drift in the gravity gradient mode. To analyse possibility of using this mode prior modelling was done. The results of modelling and measurement data processing are presented. The data were obtained from both MIR and SHUTTLE attitude control sensors. The real motion was determined with help of statistical integral technique basing on the least-squares method and integration of the motion equations.