초록 ▼

A magnetic torquing system for a spacecraft using conducting coils is disclosed. In one embodiment, the conductors (44, 46) on a spacecraft\s (10) solar wing (28, 30) which connect the solar cell strings (38) to the voltage controller (48) are wired to produce a magnetic torque which can be regulate

A magnetic torquing system for a spacecraft using conducting coils is disclosed. In one embodiment, the conductors (44, 46) on a spacecraft\s (10) solar wing (28, 30) which connect the solar cell strings (38) to the voltage controller (48) are wired to produce a magnetic torque which can be regulated by shunting individual strings to ground (52) or by opening a string circuit. This embodiment does not require the extra weight of a coil because the panel\s solar string produces the torque normally produced by an additional coil. In another embodiment, a coil (44, 46)is wired between a shunting switch (54) in the spacecraft voltage controller (48) and a ground (32) so that shunting a string to ground (52) supplies current first to the coil to generate a magnetic torque in the desired direction.

대표청구항 ▼

An attitude control system for a spacecraft having a main body and a solar panel extending from the main body, the solar panel having a plurality of solar cells grouped into strings, each cell being electrically connected to the other cells in its respective string, for generating electric current f

An attitude control system for a spacecraft having a main body and a solar panel extending from the main body, the solar panel having a plurality of solar cells grouped into strings, each cell being electrically connected to the other cells in its respective string, for generating electric current for use by the spacecraft comprising: an electrically conducting coil having a plurality of conductors coupled to the solar cells for conducting the current generated by the solar cell to the spacecraft main body for use by the spacecraft, each conductor being electrically connected to a different one of the strings, the coil being positioned so as to generate a magnetic field to interact with an external magnetic field for adjusting the attitude of the spacecraft.