Ecliptic sun acquisition control mode for satellites
US10538342B2 · kind B2 · utility
0Cited by
7References
17Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 23, 2017 |
| Grant date | Jan 21, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 14, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64G1/44
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Techniques for orienting an earth-orbiting spacecraft include determining, using a star tracker on board the spacecraft, a first vector aligned between an ecliptic pole of the earth and the spacecraft, adjusting attitude of the spacecraft so as to align a first axis of the spacecraft with the first vector, and rotating the spacecraft about the first axis until presence of the sun is registered. Rotation rates may be subsequently reduced, such that the sun remains within a field of view of the sun sensor or of a solar array of the spacecraft.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.