Patent · US Active

Device for monitoring the attitude of a satellite, and method for controlling a satellite provided with said device

US9227740B2 · kind B2 · utility

0Cited by
8References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 25, 2012
Grant dateJan 5, 2016
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 8, 2032

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB64G1/407
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A device for controlling the attitude of a satellite exploiting solar pressure, includes at least two solar generators destined to be arranged on either side of a central body of the satellite and each having one face to be exposed to the Sun, referred to as “front face”, the device also including at least three surfaces whose optical properties can be commanded. The surfaces whose optical properties can be commanded are arranged on flaps connected to solar generators, each flap being fixed with respect to the solar generator to which it is connected, and such that, in the operating position, at least two of the surfaces are not parallel when the front faces of the solar generators are optimally oriented with respect to the Sun. The device further includes a module for commanding the optical properties of each surface whose optical properties can be commanded.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.