Communications: directive radio wave systems and devices (e.g. – Directive – Including a satellite
Patent
1989-08-24
1991-12-03
Issing, Gregory C.
Communications: directive radio wave systems and devices (e.g.,
Directive
Including a satellite
364434, 244164, H04B 7185, G06F 1548, B64G 124
Patent
active
050703382
ABSTRACT:
A method for determining the attitude of a spacecraft without employing conventional attitude sensors, such as horizon sensors. A spin-stabilized spacecraft has an antenna mounted offset from the spin axis. The spacecraft is tracked over a substantial portion of its orbit from a ground (or tracking) station. A signal is transmitted from the spacecraft and received at the ground station. The spinning motion of the transmitting antenna causes the received frequency to oscillate sinusoidally due to Doppler shift acting on the transmitter-receiver range rate. The amplitude of the sinusoidal component of Doppler frequency shifts of the signals at several points along the orbit are used to determine the orientation of the spin axis. The attitude is adjusted as necessary, and thrusters are fired to move the spacecraft from the transfer orbit to the final orbit. The weight, cost and complexity of conventionl attitude sensors are eliminated from the spacecraft.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3144646 (1964-08-01), Breithaupt
patent: 3898663 (1975-08-01), Albert
patent: 4373808 (1983-02-01), Pell et al.
patent: 4599620 (1986-07-01), Evans
patent: 4644358 (1987-02-01), Sekine
"Doppler Measurements As A Source Of Attitude Information For The Ulysses Spacrecraft" by Massart et al., published in the Proceedings of Second International Symposium on Spacecraft Flight Dynamic, 20-23 Oct. 1986.
General Electric Company
Issing Gregory C.
Meise William H.
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