초록 ▼

A system located on board a geosynchronous satellite for detecting spin axis precession and developing thruster control signals for restoring the spin axis to the desired attitude. Fuel economy is enhanced by performing the major attitude correction at a time when the fuel expended contributes to th

A system located on board a geosynchronous satellite for detecting spin axis precession and developing thruster control signals for restoring the spin axis to the desired attitude. Fuel economy is enhanced by performing the major attitude correction at a time when the fuel expended contributes to that required for orbit inclination control.

대표청구항 ▼

A method for controlling the spin axis attitude and orbit inclination of a spinning spacecraft in a geosynchronous orbit comprising the steps of: sensing the direction of the earth from the spacecraft to detect deviations of the spacecraft spin plane from coincidence with the spacecraft orbital plan

A method for controlling the spin axis attitude and orbit inclination of a spinning spacecraft in a geosynchronous orbit comprising the steps of: sensing the direction of the earth from the spacecraft to detect deviations of the spacecraft spin plane from coincidence with the spacecraft orbital plane and developing signals in accordance with the detected deviation; generating signals for controlling the activation of spacecraft thrusters in response to said detected deviation signals; and selectively applying the thruster control signals to activate a selected thruster when the spacecraft is in the vicinity of a descending orbit node and at a predetermined point on the rotation of the spacecraft to develop an element of orbit plane adjustment and a correction of the deviation of the spin axis.