Controlling rotation of a spacecraft
US6017001A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 12, 1997 |
| Grant date | Jan 25, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 12, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64G1/369
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An earth orbiting satellite is enabled to assume a "survival mode" of operation in which its x axis is aligned with the sun by observing characteristics of the movement of the frame of the satellite (e.g. its x axis) relative to the sun and performing calculations based on those operations. A more accurate result is achieved if a deliberate offset is introduced between the mean direction of the x axis and the sun's direction. The control arrangement for positioning the x axis with this offset is preferably adaptive, resulting in control of the satellite's thrusters so as to produce oscillation of the x axis in a way which allows suitable measurements to be taken.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.