Passive device for stabilizing the direction in which a spacecra

Details Passive device for stabilizing the direction in which a spacecra Passive device for stabilizing the direction in which a spacecra

1998-06-19

2000-08-15

Poon, Peter M.

Aeronautics and astronautics

Spacecraft

Attitude control

244158R, 244173, 136292, B64G 124

Patent

active

061023361

ABSTRACT:
A passive device for stabilizing the pointing direction of a spacecraft of the type comprising a pair of panels that are symmetrical about a gyroscopic stabilization axis, each panel having an auxiliary flap that is at least partially reflecting. Each of the auxiliary flaps is spaced apart from the plane of the corresponding panel and is disposed relative thereto in such a manner that during rotation of the spacecraft about the stabilization axis the area of the flaps that is illuminated by the sun's rays emitted along the solar ray direction Z.sub.s is modulated during rotation by the shadow of the corresponding panel.

REFERENCES:
patent: 3057579 (1962-10-01), Cutler et al.
patent: 3239165 (1966-03-01), Sohn
patent: 3304028 (1967-02-01), Dryden
patent: 4325124 (1982-04-01), Renner
patent: 5133518 (1992-07-01), Flament
patent: 5310144 (1994-05-01), Salvatore et al.
patent: 5697582 (1997-12-01), Surauer et al.
patent: 5775645 (1998-07-01), Yocum, Jr. et al.

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