Method of adjusting the position of satellites by means of solar pressure torques

US5697582A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Deutsche Aerospace AG · DE

Inventors

• Michael Surauer · Chieming, DE
• Helmut Bittner · Munich, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 10, 1994
• Grant date: Dec 16, 1997
• Expiry date: Feb 10, 2014

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B64G1/44
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A method for adjusting the orientation and for compensating interfering torques via solar pressure torques for a satellite moving on an orbit around the earth. The satellite has two solar generators arranged symmetrically on opposite sides of a main body of the satellite. The two solar generators are rotatable independently of one another via servomotors about a first axis of rotation orthogonal to an orbiting plane of the satellite when the position of the satellite is correct. The method comprises the step of: optionally generating solar pressure torques about at least one of three space axes oriented orthogonally with respect to one another, as a result of an adjustment of the solar generators by a targeted rotation about second axes of rotation orthogonal to the first axis of rotation or about the first axis and the second axes of rotation, with respect to a nominal orientation in which the solar generator's normals to surfaces are precisely aligned in the direction of the sun.