초록 ▼

There is provided a method and system for simultaneous north-south stationkeeping and 3-axis momentum management for a geosynchronous orbiting spacecraft. The spacecraft has a first thruster, a second thruster, and at least three momentum wheels mounted on-board the spacecraft. The first and second

There is provided a method and system for simultaneous north-south stationkeeping and 3-axis momentum management for a geosynchronous orbiting spacecraft. The spacecraft has a first thruster, a second thruster, and at least three momentum wheels mounted on-board the spacecraft. The first and second thrusters are mounted adjacent to a north and a south face of the spacecraft, respectively, on an anti-earth side of the spacecraft and are aligned to produce thrust vectors slightly off from the spacecraft's center of mass. The first and second thrusters are independently fired at predetermined positions along the geosynchronous orbital path of the spacecraft. The thrust vectors provide attitude and orbital adjustment needed to correct north-south orbital position deviation and provide torque needed to desaturate the stored angular momentum of the momentum wheels.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A method for providing simultaneous north-south stationkeeping and momentum management in a three axis momentum wheel stabilized spacecraft, comprising steps of:firing a selected one of a plurality of thrusters at opposing points in an orbital path of the spacecraft so

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A method for providing simultaneous north-south stationkeeping and momentum management in a three axis momentum wheel stabilized spacecraft, comprising steps of:firing a selected one of a plurality of thrusters at opposing points in an orbital path of the spacecraft so as to effectively cancel radial effects in a change of velocity; andwhile firing the selected one of the plurality of thrusters, gimballing the thruster to null disturbance torques and desaturate wheel momentum accumulation.