need help with dynamics of multi-part space colonies

> Cant help you with this one. There is something to note, however. The
> forces creating instability are not random. Perturbations by the Moon
> are, for example, important in the cis-lunar system. There are also
> perturbations caused by light pressure and residual atmosphere, not to
> mention irregularities in the gravitational field of the body around
> which a settlement might rotate.

Yes, and if any major parts of the system (such as the hull) are
conductive, there's also a pretty major effect from interaction with the
Earth's magnetic field. From what I've read, this is actually the major
contributor to tumble in most LEO satellites.

But I don't think it matters -- all of those effects are decently
approximated as small random perturbations that dissipate energy.

By analogy, if you were simulating a pencil balanced on its tip, in an
ideal world (or simple simulation) it would stand there forever. In the
real world there are small vibrations in the table, air currents,
possibly magnetic fields acting on the metal collar around the eraser,
etc. But for simulation purposes, we can ignore the details and just
give it a small simulated nudge in any direction.

> These perturbations, for example, cause sats in GEO to collect at (I
> think) two points if not maintained by thrusters.

That's an interesting one! It sounds like it might have more to do with
affecting the orbit than the satellite's rotation, though.

(High Frontier doesn't actually do any orbital mechanics at all, though
it does take into account the characteristics of each orbit with regard
to light, radiation, etc.)

Thanks,
- Joe