Attitude control systems for space vehicles
US4294420A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 30, 1978 |
| Grant date | Oct 13, 1981 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 30, 1998 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64G1/36
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An attitude control system is provided for a body-stabilized orbiting space vehicle having roll, pitch and yaw axes. Sensors carried by the vehicle provide signals representative of angular deviations about at least two of said orthogonal axes. An actuator for the system comprises two wheels rotatable about respective non-aligned spin axes fixed with respect to the vehicle. An electronic control circuit receives signals from the sensors and controls the rotation speeds of the wheels for attitude correction about two of said orthogonal axes. Short term stabilization about the third of the orthogonal axes is provided by the gyroscopic stiffness of the actuator.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.