초록 ▼

An apparatus for regulating or controlling a satellite includes: at least one sensor for detecting reference targets such as stars, which is connected to arrangements for selecting and determining the position of reference targets, and to an arrangement for estimating model parameters of the satelli

An apparatus for regulating or controlling a satellite includes: at least one sensor for detecting reference targets such as stars, which is connected to arrangements for selecting and determining the position of reference targets, and to an arrangement for estimating model parameters of the satellite and of external interferences; a memory for storing a reference target catalog and a reference trajectory; a regulating unit for regulating the position of the satellite; and a filter that is connected to the arrangement for position determination of the reference targets, the arrangements for estimating the model parameters, the memory and the regulating unit. A method for regulating a satellite's position includes the following steps: detecting, determining the position of, and selecting reference targets; estimating model parameters of the satellite and external interferences; calculating the present position and/or attitude and motion conditions of the satellite on the basis of the estimated model parameters with the aid of dynamic models of the satellite motion; comparing the determined positions of selected reference targets with stored reference target data; and correcting the calculated position and/or attitude and motion conditions dependent on the result of the comparison. Such an apparatus and method achieve a high accuracy by successively updating and improving the accuracy of the reference target data.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An arrangement for regulating a satellite comprising, on-board the satellite:a sensor adapted to detect stars as reference targets; a selection unit that is adapted to select at least one selected one of the reference targets, and that is connected to said sensor; a position determination unit th

1. An arrangement for regulating a satellite comprising, on-board the satellite:a sensor adapted to detect stars as reference targets; a selection unit that is adapted to select at least one selected one of the reference targets, and that is connected to said sensor; a position determination unit that is adapted to determine respective positions of the reference targets, and that is connected to said sensor; a parameter identification unit that is adapted to estimate model parameters of at least one model of the satellite and of external interferences acting on the satellite; an updatable first memory containing a reference target catalog comprising an updatable star catalog that includes star identification data and star position data; a second memory containing a nominal trajectory of the satellite; actuators adapted to change a position of the satellite; a regulating unit that is connected to said second memory and to said actuators and that is adapted to control said actuators to regulate the position of the satellite with respect to said nominal trajectory; and a filter that is connected to said position determination unit, said parameter identification unit, said first memory, and said regulating unit, and that is adapted to revise said star position data contained in said reference target catalog based on said respective positions of the reference targets determined by said position determination unit.