Aeronautics and astronautics – Spacecraft – Attitude control
Patent
1979-04-19
1981-09-08
Barefoot, Galen L.
Aeronautics and astronautics
Spacecraft
Attitude control
244165, 244169, 244171, B64G 124, B64G 126, B64G 128, B64G 136
Patent
active
042880513
ABSTRACT:
A satellite, especially a geostationary satellite which may be stabilized in its three major axes and which has a spin wheel or momentum wheel supporting a position control system and which also has an engine or propelling system, is controlled by actuating the spin or momentum wheel at the latest when the satellite is in a phase of being transferred from one orbit to another orbit. Thereafter, the satellite is rotated about its axis which extends in parallel to the axis of the spin wheel or momentum wheel whereby the rotational impulse of the satellite is smaller than that of the momentum wheel. The stabilizing of the satellite relative to the three major axes is then made at the point in time when the satellite is to change from one orbit to another orbit whereupon the engine system for reaching the new orbit is switched on. The thrust of the engine system is so dimensioned that the position control system intended for a subsequent mission retains its orientation even during the phase of changing orbits. At least one momentum or spin wheel is effective in the position control of the satellite in each operational phase of the satellite. A drive or propelling system for a position control in the three axial directions is provided along with liquid fuel drive engines for the orbit change and for the orbit correction.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3231223 (1966-01-01), Upper
patent: 3359407 (1967-12-01), Paige
patent: 3396920 (1968-08-01), Rosen et al.
patent: 3511452 (1970-05-01), Smith et al.
patent: 3767139 (1973-10-01), Fischell
patent: 3866025 (1975-02-01), Cavanagh
patent: 4071211 (1978-01-01), Muhlfelder et al.
Cau, "The Altitude and Orbit Control System of the Orbital Test Satellite", nstitution of Electrical Engineers, 1975 International Conference on Satellite Communications Systems Technology, 4/7-10/1975, pp. 75-80.
Barefoot Galen L.
Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung
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