Controlling rotation of a spacecraft

Details Controlling rotation of a spacecraft Controlling rotation of a spacecraft

1997-05-12

2000-01-25

Barefoot, Galen L.

Aeronautics and astronautics

Spacecraft

Attitude control

701 13, 244171, B64G 126

Patent

active

060170018

ABSTRACT:
An earth orbiting satellite is enabled to assume a "survival mode" of operation in which its x axis is aligned with the sun by observing characteristics of the movement of the frame of the satellite (e.g. its x axis) relative to the sun and performing calculations based on those operations. A more accurate result is achieved if a deliberate offset is introduced between the mean direction of the x axis and the sun's direction. The control arrangement for positioning the x axis with this offset is preferably adaptive, resulting in control of the satellite's thrusters so as to produce oscillation of the x axis in a way which allows suitable measurements to be taken.

REFERENCES:
patent: 4728061 (1988-03-01), Johnson et al.
patent: 5020744 (1991-06-01), Schwarzschild
patent: 5458300 (1995-10-01), Flament et al.
patent: 5788188 (1998-08-01), Damilano
"Attitude Acquisition System for Communication Spacecraft", M. Schwarzschild et. al., 169a Journal of Guidance, Control and Dynamics, 14(1991) May/Jun., No. 3, Washington, D.C. U.S., pp. 543-547.

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