Normal estimating device for e.g. earth observation satellite, has unit for calculating rotation of magnetic field with respect to satellite, and another unit for calculating normal to orbit from rotational speed of satellite and field

摘要

The device has a measuring unit i.e. rate gyro (11), measuring the rotational speed (OMEGA-sat) of a satellite and another measuring unit i.e. magnetometer (21), measuring a geomagnetic field (B-sat). A calculating unit calculates the rotation of the magnetic field with respect to the satellite. Another calculating unit calculates the normal to an orbit from the rotational speed of the satellite and the rotational speed of the magnetic field.