Aeronautics and astronautics – Spacecraft – Attitude control
Patent
1989-09-29
1991-06-04
Peters, Jr., Joseph F.
Aeronautics and astronautics
Spacecraft
Attitude control
244164, B64G 126
Patent
active
050207466
ABSTRACT:
An improved method for satellite station keeping is disclosed. The method provides for station keeping of a three axis stabilized satellite 10 using only two thrusters 20 and 22. The thrusters 20 and 22 can be ion or liquid propulsion thrusters and are mounted on the anti-nadir face 18 of the satellite 10. The north thruster 20 is canted at an angle .THETA. from the north-south axis 16 of the satellite 10 in a northern direction and the south thruster 22 is canted at the angle .THETA. from the north-south axis 16 in a southern direction. Both thrusters 20 and 22 are also translated to the east or west along an east-west axis 14 of the satellite 10 and swiveled at variable angles .alpha..sub.1 and .alpha..sub.2 respectively. A specific teaching of the invention discloses techniques for determining the angles .alpha..sub.1 and .alpha..sub.2 and the firing positions for the thrusters 20 and 22 to maintain the satellite 10 in a stationary orbit. In a specific embodiment, a backup thruster 24 is provided to counter the radial acceleration buildup from a failure of one of the thrusters 20 or 22. Also, in a specific embodiment, first and second slide mechanisms are provided to translate the first and second thrusters 20 and 22 to the east or west along the east-west axis 14 of the satellite 10 for a change in the angles .alpha..sub.1 or .alpha..sub.2 in order to maintain the lines of thrust from the thrust of the thrusters 20 and 22 respectively through the center-of-gravity of the satellite 10.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4407469 (1983-10-01), Fox
Bidwell Anne E.
Denson-Low Wanda K.
Hughes Aircraft Company
Mitchell Steven M.
Peters Jr. Joseph F.
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