Three-axis position control for low-orbiting satellites

US6685142B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• ASTRIUM GMBH · DE

Inventors

• Walter Fichter · Taufkirchen, DE
• Ernst Bruderle · Ottobrunn, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: May 31, 2000
• Grant date: Feb 3, 2004
• Expiry date: May 31, 2020

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B64G1/32
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A three-axis attitude control for a low-orbiting satellite. A sensor which measures in two axes is a magnetometer, and a satellite is positioned on an inclined orbit at an inclination angle of approximately 25 degrees to approx. 90 degrees. The satellite has been provided with an overall spin by spin wheels, and actuators generate torque on all three axes of the satellite. Accordingly, this is applicable to three-axis attitude control of a low-orbiting satellite that includes a sensor which measures in two axes and that includes one or several spin wheels.