Reorientation of a spinning spacecraft using gimbaled electric thrusters

US10144531B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Boeing Company · US

Inventors

• Alexander Jacob Sobel · Los Angeles, US
• Qinghong W. Wang · Torrance, US
• Gary E. Lemke · Grand Rapids, US
• Timothy S. Lui · Cupertino, US
• Kangsik Lee · Torrance, US
• Glenn N. Caplin · Manhattan Beach, US
• Troy Allen Fontana · Torrance, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 4, 2016
• Grant date: Dec 4, 2018
• Expiry date: Feb 4, 2036

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B64G1/413
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for controlling a spacecraft for a transfer orbit. The spacecraft includes a propulsion subsystem with electric thrusters that are installed with two-axis gimbal assemblies. The spacecraft also includes a controller that identifies a target spin axis for the spacecraft, determines an actual spin axis for the spacecraft during the transfer orbit, determines gimbal angles for the electric thruster(s) that adjust the actual spin axis toward the target spin axis, and initiates a burn of the electric thruster(s) at the gimbal angles.