Aeronautics and astronautics – Spacecraft – Attitude control
Patent
1996-06-24
1998-04-14
Grant, William
Aeronautics and astronautics
Spacecraft
Attitude control
244172, 244 54, B64G 126
Patent
active
057383081
ABSTRACT:
A system for supporting and selectively positioning an ion thruster (12) relative to a surface (14) of a spacecraft includes three angularly spaced thruster support assemblies (16, 17, 18). Each thruster support assembly includes a frame (20) which has a rotary actuator (42) mounted thereon. The rotary actuator is connected to an actuator member (36) which is rotatably connected to a thruster attachment member (19) connected to a body of the thruster. A stabilizer member (30) is rotatably mounted to the frame and to the thruster attachment member. The thruster is selectively movable in the pitch and yaw directions responsive to movement of the actuator members by the actuators on the thruster support assemblies. A failure of any one actuator on a thruster support assembly will generally still enable limited thruster positioning capability in two directions. In a retracted position the thruster attachment members are held in nested relation in saddles (26) supported on the frames of the thruster support assemblies. The thruster is securely held in the retracted position during periods of high loading such as during launch of the spacecraft.
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Grant William
Stone Kent N.
The United States of America as represented by the Administrator
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