Autonomous solar torque management
US5996942A · kind A · utility
5Cited by
29References
20Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 22, 1997 |
| Grant date | Dec 7, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 22, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64G1/366
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method in accordance with this invention for maintaining a spacecraft in a desired orbital configuration, comprises the steps of: (a) recording a history of yaw momentum stored in momentum wheels; (b) estimating an average inertial torque and momentum over a previous time interval (such as one day); (c) determining a desired change in inertial torques using PID control law; (d) commanding a change in satellite trim tab and solar array position from a desired change in solar torque; and (e) slewing the trim tab and solar array a desired amount.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.