Spacecraft payload orientation steering
US9045239B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 2, 2009 |
| Grant date | Jun 2, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 2, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64G1/244
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Spacecraft payload orientation steering is provided for an orbiting spacecraft in motion along an orbit track around a celestial body, the orbit track having a nominal inclination with respect to an equatorial orbit, a substantial eccentricity, and a drift angle with respect to the nominal inclination. Coordinates of an optimal payload target location as a function of a spacecraft position along the orbit track are determined, the target location being on the surface of the celestial body and having a substantial motion with respect to the surface and with respect to a spacecraft nadir. A payload of the spacecraft is substantially aligned with the determined coordinates by steering the satellite body to correct for at least one of the inclination drift angle, and the eccentricity, thereby adjusting the spacecraft orientation as a function of the spacecraft position along the orbit track.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.