Patent · US Active

Attitude determination and control system (ADCS), sun sensor, and star tracker

US10351266B2 · kind B2 · utility

0Cited by

4References

9Claims

0Family size

Assignee

Triad National Security, LLC · US

Inventors

Stephen Judd · Los Alamos, US
Nicholas Dallmann · Los Alamos, US
Michael Proicou · Los Alamos, US
Daniel Seitz · Altstätten, CH
Paul Stein · Los Alamos, US
John Martinez · Minersville, US
Gayle Kestell · Los Alamos, US
Adam Warniment · Los Alamos, US
Steven Storms · Los Alamos, US

Key dates

Filing date	Jun 22, 2015
Grant date	Jul 16, 2019
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Apr 10, 2037

Classification

Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
CPC primaryB64G1/361
WIPO fieldTransport
WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An ADCS module may be configured to use coordinate data from 2D photodiodes in one or more sun sensors to determine a sun vector. The ADCS module may then use the sun vector in reference to its own body faced (BF) coordinate system to calculate a change in the orientation of the space vehicle. The change in orientation mechanism may be accomplished by reaction wheels, ion thrusters, or other orientation altering mechanisms. A miniature, intelligent star tracker may be included that improves satellite attitude determination and pointing accuracy. An improved reaction wheel assembly may be included that is more robust and suitable for inclusion in small space vehicles.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.