发明名称 |
Satellite gravity gradient compensation using on-orbit solar array reorientation |
摘要 |
A method for operating an orbiting spacecraft includes the steps of (a) changing a mass distribution of the spacecraft from a first mass distribution for setting a first principal moment of inertia of the spacecraft along a first axis approximately equal to a second principal moment of inertia of the spacecraft along a second axis, thereby minimizing a gravity gradient torque about a third axis; (b) performing a desired activity while the gravity gradient torque about the third axis is minimized; and (c) resetting the mass distribution back to the first mass distribution at a completion of the desired activity. The spacecraft includes a plurality of solar array panels, and the step of changing is accomplished by varying a position of at least two of the solar array panels away from a sun-pointing configuration. Also disclosed is a method for stabilizing the spacecraft to resist a rotation about an axis by varying the positions of solar array panels.
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申请公布号 |
US5669586(A) |
申请公布日期 |
1997.09.23 |
申请号 |
US19940349950 |
申请日期 |
1994.12.06 |
申请人 |
SPACE SYSTEMS/LORAL, INC. |
发明人 |
TADROS, ALFRED H. |
分类号 |
B64G1/24;B64G1/34;B64G1/44;G05D1/08;(IPC1-7):B64G1/34 |
主分类号 |
B64G1/24 |
代理机构 |
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代理人 |
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主权项 |
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地址 |
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