Method and apparatus for compensating for magnetic disturbance torques on a satellite

摘要

This invention discloses a method for compensating for the disturbance torque on an orbiting satellite (10) from the interference of the earth's magnetic field lines with particular current loops associated with the satellite (10). The current flow in these current loops on the satellite (10) is measured by a current sensing device (42). A scaling factor (44,46) is applied to the measured currents to derive an estimated disturbance torque in particular axes of the satellite's attitude. The estimated magnetic disturbance torques are applied, along with other control torques, to a satellite actuation device (38). The actuation device (38) actuates the satellite (10) in the particular axes to compensate for the disturbance torques being applied to the satellite (10).