Patent · US Active

Spacecraft control system for determining reaction torque

US11174047B2 · kind B2 · utility

0Cited by
7References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 29, 2019
Grant dateNov 16, 2021
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 7, 2040

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB64G1/44
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A control system for a spacecraft for determining a resultant torque that is exerted upon a spacecraft by one or more magnetic torque rods is disclosed. The spacecraft is configured to revolve around a celestial body in an orbit. A magnetic field of the celestial body is predictable, and a direction of the magnetic field located around the orbit is fixed. The control system includes the one or more magnetic torque rods, one or more processors in electronic communication with the one or more magnetic torque rods, and a memory coupled to the one or more processors. The memory stores data into a database and program code that, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the control system to instruct the one or more magnetic torque rods to exert the resultant torque upon the spacecraft.

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