Patent · US Expired

Sun search method and apparatus for a satellite stabilized in three axes

US5906338A · kind A · utility

4Cited by

12References

13Claims

0Family size

Assignee

Daimler-Benz Aerospace AG · DE

Inventors

Michael Surauer · Chieming, DE
Christian Roche · Locarno, CH
Walter Fichter · Taufkirchen, DE

Key dates

Filing date	Mar 22, 1996
Grant date	May 25, 1999
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Mar 22, 2016

Classification

Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
CPC primaryB64G1/369
WIPO fieldTransport
WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

The sun search method for a satellite stabilized in three axes according to the invention uses a sun sensor device with a visual field possibly containing gaps, and a rotational speed gyro which measures in a measuring axis that is oriented arbitrarily. A regulating law with the form .tau.=-kGG.sup.T .omega. is used (.tau.=regulating torque, k=amplification factor, G=directional vector of measuring axis of rotational speed gyro, .omega.=rotational speed vector of the satellite). A rotational wheel momentum H which is not parallel to the measuring axis, is generated with the aid of an additional flywheel device.

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