Satellite antenna orientation control method and sensor configuration applying said method

摘要

The present invention relates to the orientation of antennae on a satellite possessing at least one antenna comprising a horn rigidly connected to the body of the satellite, a movable reflector mounted on an orientable platform and at least one radio-frequency sensor in the horn using said antenna to control the orientation of said reflector. The invention consists of: using a signal characterizing the pivoting of the orientable platform with respect to the body of the satellite to orient said satellite correctly with respect to the reflector in order to limit the pivoting of said platform; using the signals from at least one earth sensor in the same way as the signals from the radio-frequency sensor to control said reflector, so as to orient the beam towards the point sighted on the earth. The invention is particularly useful for the control of the orientation of antennae, particularly on a satellite.