ARTIFICIAL SATELLITE HAVING MAGNETIC AND AERODYNAMIC MOMENT GENERATORS, AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING SAME

摘要

A system and a method for controlling a low-orbiting artificial satellite, wherein aerodynamic control surfaces causing rotation of the satellite about two axes on contact with the upper layers of the atmosphere are combined with magnetic couplers (1, 2, 3) using the Earth's magnetic field to cause rotational movement about the three main pitch, roll and yaw axes. The attitude of the satellite may thus be controlled with very high accuracy and low power consumption. Control laws are provided.