Spacecraft momentum management using solar array
US8868263B2 · kind B2 · utility
3Cited by
11References
33Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 25, 2011 |
| Grant date | Oct 21, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 1, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64G1/413
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Stored momentum on a spacecraft is managed by determining a target profile of stored momentum as a function of time for the spacecraft; measuring a difference between a momentum value actually stored on the spacecraft and a desired momentum value, where the desired momentum value substantially conforms to the target profile at a particular time; reducing the difference by producing a torque on the spacecraft, where the torque results from selectively controlling at least one solar array position offset angle, the offset angle being an offset of at least one solar array of the spacecraft from a nominal sun pointing direction.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.