Spacecraft momentum management
US9108749B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 15, 2011 |
| Grant date | Aug 18, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 26, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF03H1/0037
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Three-axis spacecraft momentum management is performed for a spacecraft traveling along a trajectory, by an actuator including at least one thruster disposed on a single positioning mechanism. As the spacecraft travels along the trajectory, a desired line of thrust undergoes a substantial rotation in inertial space. When the spacecraft is located at a first location on the trajectory, the single positioning mechanism orients the thruster so as to produce a first torque to manage stored momentum in at least one of a first and a second of the three inertial spacecraft axes. When the spacecraft is located at a second location on the trajectory, the single positioning mechanism orients the thruster so as to produce a second torque to manage stored momentum in at least a third of the three inertial spacecraft axes.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.