초록 ▼

A controller and control method that perform satellite orbit-keeping maneuvers and proportionally scale orbit-keeping pulses to automatically minimize disturbance torques on-board a satellite. The controller and control method may also be used to remove residual momentum stored in spinning momentum

A controller and control method that perform satellite orbit-keeping maneuvers and proportionally scale orbit-keeping pulses to automatically minimize disturbance torques on-board a satellite. The controller and control method may also be used to remove residual momentum stored in spinning momentum wheels.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A control method for performing satellite orbit-keeping maneuvers comprising the steps of:configuring a satellite having a body with a plurality of thrusters disposed on predetermined faces thereof that are used to maneuver the satellite, and a controller comprising a look-up table that contains

1. A control method for performing satellite orbit-keeping maneuvers comprising the steps of:configuring a satellite having a body with a plurality of thrusters disposed on predetermined faces thereof that are used to maneuver the satellite, and a controller comprising a look-up table that contains data that defines which of the thrusters, and in which proportion, are to be used to perform a specified maneuver; launching the satellite into orbit around a body; controlling the plurality of thrusters using the controller to produce orbit-keeping .DELTA.v burns that change the orbit of the satellite, and produce orbit-keeping pulses that are scaled proportionally to minimize disturbance torques on-board the satellite, and thus control satellite orbit-keeping maneuvers.