Spacecraft transfer orbit techniques

摘要

Spacecraft transfer orbit operations include separating a spacecraft from a launch vehicle, while in a launch vehicle transfer orbit. The spacecraft includes a propulsion subsystem and a spacecraft controller that controls the spacecraft in a three-axis stabilized mode. With the spacecraft continuously in the three-axis stabilized mode, one or more orbit raising maneuvers are performed by firing either or both of a chemical thruster and an electric thruster firing. Any two consecutive orbit raising maneuvers are separated by a respective intervening coast period. While in the three-axis stabilized mode, the spacecraft does not rotate about any axis at a rate greater than 0.1 degree/sec and dumping of momentum stored in a reaction wheel system is avoided.

主权项

1. A method for performing spacecraft transfer orbit operations, the method comprising:
separating a spacecraft from a launch vehicle, while in a launch vehicle transfer orbit, the spacecraft comprising a propulsion subsystem and a spacecraft controller; controlling the spacecraft in a three-axis stabilized mode; and performing, with the spacecraft continuously in the three-axis stabilized mode, one or more orbit raising maneuvers, each orbit raising maneuver comprising either or both of a chemical thruster firing and an electric thruster firing, any two consecutive orbit raising maneuvers being separated by a respective intervening coast period, wherein,
while in the three-axis stabilized mode, the spacecraft does not rotate about any axis at a rate greater than 0.1 degree/sec and dumping of momentum stored in a momentum storage system during each respective intervening coast period is avoided.