APPARATUS FOR DETECTING THE ATTITUDE OF AN ARTIFICIAL SATELLITE

摘要

An artificial satellite includes a pair of sensors for detecting ultraviolet rays from the horizon of the earth. The pair of sensors are mounted on the satellite with a predetermined angle therebetween. When the angle of inclination of the spin axis of the satellite to the horizon thereof is relatively small both of the sensors will simultaneously detect rays from the horizon of the earth. The difference in the outputs of the two sensors will provide a measurement of the inclination angle of the spin axis and hence the attitude of the satellite. On the other hand, when the angle of inclination of the spin axis of the satellite to the horizon thereof is relatively large, one of the pair of sensors will be out of sight of the earth and the output of the other sensor will detect rays from the horizon of the earth to provide a measurement of the inclination angle of the spin axis of the satellite.