Aeronautics and astronautics – Spacecraft – Attitude control
Patent
1998-02-23
2000-03-07
Poon, Peter M.
Aeronautics and astronautics
Spacecraft
Attitude control
B64G 126
Patent
active
060329041
ABSTRACT:
A three-axis stabilized spacecraft having roll, pitch, and yaw axes and when on station in orbit about the earth having a north face and a south face is equipped with a first and second thruster which may be electric thrusters. A first support device mounts the first thruster adjacent the north face and the first thruster is positioned a spaced distance away from the north face in a first direction parallel to the pitch axis and spaced from the pitch axis in a second direction normal to the pitch axis. A second support device mounts the second thruster adjacent the south face, the second thruster being positioned a spaced distance away from the south face in a third direction opposite the first direction and spaced from the pitch axis in the second direction. A gimbal mechanism pivotally mounts the first and second thrusters on the first and second support devices, respectively, for selectively positioning the attitude of the first and second thrusters. The spacecraft includes a system for performing one or more operations including the following: thrusting along the yaw axis to assist in reaching a geosynchronous orbit; reducing the stored angular momentum of the momentum wheels; and north-south station keeping of the spacecraft.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4767084 (1988-08-01), Chan et al.
patent: 5020746 (1991-06-01), Anzel
patent: 5312073 (1994-05-01), Flament et al.
patent: 5349532 (1994-09-01), Tilley et al.
patent: 5383631 (1995-01-01), Mazzini
Gelon Walter S.
Hosick Daryl K.
Mills Richard M.
Ducker, Jr. Charles R.
Poon Peter M.
Space Systems Loral, Inc.
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