Practical method and apparatus for satellite stationkeeping
US6135394A · kind A · utility
25Cited by
9References
22Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 8, 1998 |
| Grant date | Oct 24, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 8, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64G1/262
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A practical stationkeeping method and apparatus wherein an electric propulsion system on a satellite is used to correct north-south drift and the majority of east-west drift which is caused by orbital eccentricity growth. A chemical propulsion system on the satellite is used to correct the remainder of east-west drift due to the growth of orbital semimajor axis. The method and apparatus eliminate the need for additional electric thruster burns in case of an electric thruster failure and therefore eliminates associated power and mass penalties.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.