Thruster orbit control method and configuration
US9296494B1 · kind B1 · utility
1Cited by
15References
13Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 10, 2012 |
| Grant date | Mar 29, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 23, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64G1/245
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention provide an ion-thruster stationkeeping method and mounting configuration that reduces the propellant penalty when a single thruster fails, e.g., in the case where only three of a spacecraft's four ion thrusters are available. By improving firing efficiency for the single-thruster failure case, on-board propellant is reduced, thereby allowing increased payload mass. Also, the configuration supports both N/S and E/W stationkeeping using four ion thrusters (or three thrusters for the failure case) and therefore does not require a separate propulsion system or thrusters for E/W stationkeeping.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.