SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR UNLOADING ANGULAR MOMENTUM FROM A SPACECRAFT MOMENTUM WHEEL STABILIZATION SYSTEM

摘要

A system and method for determining an orientation of a thruster used in unloading angular momentum from a spacecraft. The system and method use only one thruster in the unloading operation. The system and method allow for user flexibility in choosing maneuver duration to complement on-board maneuver plans or to avoid possible conflicts with operations limitations. When used with XIPS thrusters, the required thruster burn time for a single thruster unloading operation is greatly reduced with respect to known two-XIPS-thruster angular momentum unloading operations. A graphical user interface can be used by a satellite operator to determine the specifics of the angular momentum unloading operation.