Aeronautics and astronautics – Spacecraft – Attitude control
Patent
1987-02-26
1988-05-24
Peters, Jr., Joseph F.
Aeronautics and astronautics
Spacecraft
Attitude control
B64G 132
Patent
active
047460857
ABSTRACT:
A method for determining the earth's magnetic field and, selectively, additionally, for determining a satellite orientation as a premise for the attitude control of an earth satellite in a known orbit. The satellite is equipped with magnetic coils 5, 6, and 7, gyros, sun sensors and reaction and/or flywheels 1, 2, 3, 4. The x-axis of a coordinate system integral with the satellite is continuously oriented towards the sun. The satellite can be rotated through a variable angle of rotation .alpha. around the x-axis. At three instants t.sub.0, t.sub.1, t.sub.2, spaced from each other by small time intervals, respective angular momentum components H.sub.y, H.sub.z are measured. Herein, a constant magnetic moment M.sub.x is generated throughout the second time interval. From these domains, the components of the earth's magnetic field B.sub.y, B.sub.z are calculated for t.sub.0. From this, subsequently, the angle of rotation .alpha. can be determined. The components of the angular momentum result from the rpm's of the reaction and/or flywheels, as well as gyros.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3189298 (1965-06-01), Buckingham et al.
patent: 3834653 (1974-09-01), Perkel
patent: 4010921 (1977-03-01), Pistiner et al.
Corl Rodney
Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm GmbH
Peters Jr. Joseph F.
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