Autonomous solar torque management

摘要

A method in accordance with this invention for maintaining a spacecraft in a desired orbital configuration, comprises the steps of: (a) recording a history of yaw momentum stored in momentum wheels; (b) estimating an average inertial torque and momentum over a previous time interval (such as one day); (c) determining a desired change in inertial torques using PID control law; (d) commanding a change in satellite trim tab and solar array position from a desired change in solar torque; and (e) slewing the trim tab and solar array a desired amount.