By switching the earth sensor to a single scan mode, the earth sensor standard chord is locked at or near the desired standard chord.

This exercise is a variation on the standard rope crunches, this time using a D-handle instead of the rope on the cable machine.

Our standard rope is a 1/2'' (12 mm) double-braided polyester rope, which will stretch approximately 12% to 15% at break point.

In accordance with this embodiment, the method comprises moving the spacecraft to a first roll position, which has a roll angle that will cause the earth sensor to have a desired standard chord.