Method for calibrating the gyros of a 3-axis stabilized satellite

US4884771A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Messerschmitt Bolkow Blohm GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Arnold Scheit · Munich, DE
• Ernst Bruderle · Ottobrunn, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 14, 1988
• Grant date: Dec 5, 1989
• Expiry date: Oct 14, 2008

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01C25/005
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

This method serves for calibrating gyros forming part of the attitude control system of a satellite stabilized in three axes and which have an unknown drift. A two-axis sensor measuring the direction of a radiating reference object in the coordinate system x, y, z fixed with respect to the satellite is used. Two reference attitudes each different with respect to the reference object are commanded to the satellite in the course of two consecutive time intervals spaced from each other. The values measured by the sensor representing the respective actual direction of the reference object are recorded at the start and at the end of the time intervals. The respective time integrals of the gyro output signals are computed during the time intervals, which represent the gyro drift plus the respective instantaneous satellite deviation from the commanded reference attitude. Finally the gyro drift is determined from these time integrals and the values measured by the sensor.