Self-powered spacecraft attitude control system and method
US7721998B2 · kind B2 · utility
0Cited by
5References
12Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 14, 2007 |
| Grant date | May 25, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 25, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64G1/286
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A system and method are provided for operating a control moment gyro (CMG) in a spacecraft. The CMG includes a spin motor, and a CMG rotor that is coupled to the spin motor and is configured to rotate about a spin axis. Electrical power from a power source is supplied to the spin motor to rotate the CMG rotor about the spin axis. A determination is made as to whether the power source can supply sufficient electrical power to the spin motor. If the power source cannot supply sufficient electrical power to the spin motor, the spin motor is rotated by the CMG rotor to generate and supply electrical power to the power source.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.