Apparatus for storing propellant in a satellite

摘要

An arrangement for the supply of propellant for the propulsion systems of a satellite has a main fuel tank, a main oxidizer tank and an additional or auxiliary oxidizer tank. The auxiliary oxidizer tank becomes effective when the oxidizer in the main tank has been used up at the end of the useful life of the satellite. At that time the additional oxidizer is used to bring the satellite into a retirement orbit out of the way, so to speak, to reduce the crowding in the range of desirable orbits. For this purpose, the emptiness of the main oxidizer tank is sensed by a sensor for providing a control signal which closes the main supply line, thereby switching on the auxiliary tank for propelling the satellite into the retirement orbit.