| 摘要 |
<p>[Problem] To provide a method for controlling the orbital plane of an artificial satellite that is capable of achieving orbit control that is substantially equivalent to that of an artificial satellite equipped with a propulsion system having a high thrust level, with the intention of reducing the size and weight of the artificial satellite without impairing the mission of a main satellite. [Solution] This method for controlling the orbital plane of artificial satellite involves directing a plurality of small artificial satellites (11, 12), which are launched together with a main satellite, to respective target orbits, and is characterized in that the orbital altitudes of the small artificial satellites (11, 12), which are directed to a target orbit (S1) of the main satellite, are altered by using propulsion systems having a low thrust level, and the plurality of artificial satellites (11, 12) is introduced to respective target orbits (S5, S9) by utilizing transitions in the orbital planes caused by the flatness of the Earth's gravity field at said orbital altitudes.</p> |
