Method and apparatus for satellite torque balancing

Details Method and apparatus for satellite torque balancing Method and apparatus for satellite torque balancing

1992-07-06

1994-05-10

Barefoot, Galen L.

Aeronautics and astronautics

Spacecraft

Attitude control

B64G 124

Patent

active

053101448

ABSTRACT:
A method and apparatus for balancing environmental disturbance torques acting upon a satellite (10) by tilting the satellite solar panels (14,16) toward or away from the sun to change the solar pressure acting upon the satellite (10) as well as the gravity gradient torque generated by different panel (14,16) tilt angles. By balancing the disturbance torque acting upon the satellite (10), satellite disturbances are minimized so that the satellite stabilization system can be made smaller and fuel used for satellite attitude control is minimized. Torque balancing is accomplished at the beginning of the mission through a linear actuator (37) at the mounting location of each solar panel (14,16) to the satellite main body (12) and, once set, is passive and does not require continuous active satellite control.

REFERENCES:
patent: 3304028 (1967-02-01), Nicklas et al.
patent: 4262867 (1981-04-01), Piening
patent: 4325124 (1982-04-01), Renner
patent: 4426052 (1984-01-01), Hubert et al.
patent: 4508297 (1985-04-01), Mouilhayrat et al.
patent: 4591116 (1986-05-01), Guenther et al.
patent: 4684084 (1987-08-01), Fuldner et al.
patent: 4732354 (1988-03-01), Lievre
patent: 4834325 (1989-05-01), Faget et al.
patent: 4949922 (1990-08-01), Rosen
"Solar Sailing Attitude Control of Large Geostationary Satellite" by J. Lievre, IFAC Automatic Control in Space, France 1985.
"Spacecraft Radiation Torques" National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Oct. 1969.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Method and apparatus for satellite torque balancing does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Method and apparatus for satellite torque balancing, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method and apparatus for satellite torque balancing will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2409783