Method of controlling the attitude and stabilization of a satellite in low orbit
US6745984B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 23, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jun 8, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 23, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64G1/363
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
For controlling the attitude of a satellite placed on a low earth orbit, components of a vector Bm of the earth's magnetic field along three measurement axes of a frame of reference bound with the satellite (typically by means of a three-axis magnetometer) are measured. The orientation of the earth's magnetic field in the frame of reference is computed and a derivative {dot over (B)}m of the vector is also computed. Magneto-couplers carried by the satellite are energized to create a torque for spinning the satellite at an angular frequency &ohgr;c about a determined spin axis of the satellite, where &ohgr;c is greater than an orbital angular frequency 2&ohgr;0 of the satellite.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.