초록 ▼

The apparatus has n non aligned antennas, where n is at least for receiving radio signals from a plurality of OPS satellites. Radio frequency signals received by the various antennas are processed for measuring their phase differences, and for computing attitude on the basis of said phase difference

The apparatus has n non aligned antennas, where n is at least for receiving radio signals from a plurality of OPS satellites. Radio frequency signals received by the various antennas are processed for measuring their phase differences, and for computing attitude on the basis of said phase differences. The measurement and computing system is repeatedly calibrated on the basis of measurements performed by a star sensor during periods when it provides usable data.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [1.] Apparatus for measuring the attitude of an earth satellite in a reference frame, comprising:a heavenly body sensor carried by a body of said earth satellite for detecting angular positions of a plurality of identifiable heavenly bodies with respect to said body of the earth satellit

[ I claim:] [1.] Apparatus for measuring the attitude of an earth satellite in a reference frame, comprising:a heavenly body sensor carried by a body of said earth satellite for detecting angular positions of a plurality of identifiable heavenly bodies with respect to said body of the earth satellite,a plurality n of antennas carried by said body of the earth satellite, n being an integer greater than two, said antennas being arranged for receiving radio signals from a plurality of GPS satellites of a satellite global positioning system and for pairs of said antennas to define a plurality of base lines having different angular positions on said body,processing means for processing radio frequency signals received by said antennas from said GPS satellites, for measuring a plurality of phase differences each between the radio frequency signals received from a same one of said GPS satellites by the antennas of a same one of said pairs, and for computing an attitude of the earth satellite from said phase differences, andmeans for repeatedly calibrating measurements made by said processing means, based on measurements performed by said heavenly body sensor when said heavenly body sensor provides usable data.