초록 ▼

A spacecraft attitude and altitude control system utilizes sets of three pulsed plasma thrusters connected to a single controller. The single controller controls the operation of each thruster in the set. The control of a set of three thrusters in the set makes it possible to provide a component of

A spacecraft attitude and altitude control system utilizes sets of three pulsed plasma thrusters connected to a single controller. The single controller controls the operation of each thruster in the set. The control of a set of three thrusters in the set makes it possible to provide a component of thrust along any one of three desired axes. This configuration reduces the total weight of a spacecraft since only one controller and its associated electronics is required for each set of thrusters rather than a controller for each thruster. The thrusters are positioned about the spacecraft such that the effect of the thrusters is balanced.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A thruster set for use in a spacecraft attitude control system comprising: three pulsed plasma thrusters, each having:an anode discharge electrode;a cathode discharge electrode; andspark plug for initiating discharge of the thruster;a common capacitor for storing energy;a

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A thruster set for use in a spacecraft attitude control system comprising: three pulsed plasma thrusters, each having:an anode discharge electrode;a cathode discharge electrode; andspark plug for initiating discharge of the thruster;a common capacitor for storing energy;anode stripline coupling the common capacitor to the anode discharge clectrodes of the three thrusters and comprising sheet having three portions angled relative to each other and respectively connected to the anode electrodes the three thrusters;a cathode stripline coupling the common capacitor to the cathode discharge electrodes of the three thrusters and comprising a sheet having three portions angled relative to each other and respectively connected to the cathode electrodes of the three thrusters; anda discharge initiation circuit coupled to each spark plug for selectively firing a single selected thruster of the three thrusters so as to provide a thrust impulse bit from the selected thruster along an axis of the selected thruster.