Spacecraft power acquisition method for wing-stowed configuration
US7546983B2 · kind B2 · utility
4Cited by
11References
16Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 9, 2005 |
| Grant date | Jun 16, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 17, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64G1/443
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A system for, and method of recovering a solar-powered spacecraft from an anomaly that renders the attitude of the spacecraft unknown includes maintaining a power-safe attitude by switching between two orthogonal axes using solar panel current sensors. The system and method may also include simultaneously determining spacecraft attitude using a star sensor. The system is applicable to spacecraft operating in a solar wing-stowed configuration.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.