Method of adjusting the position of satellites by means of solar pressure torques

Patent 5697582 Issued on December 16, 1997. Estimated Expiration Date:

December 16, 2014. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

System for controlling the direction of the momentum vector of a geosynchronous satellite
Patent #: 4325124
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Patent #: 4591116
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Inventor: Guenther , et al.

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Inventor: Lievre

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Patent #: 4949922
Issued on: 08/21/1990
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Issued on: 09/22/1992
Inventor: Flament

Inventors

Assignee

Deutsche Aerospace AG

Application

No. 146036 filed on 02/10/1994

US Classes:

244/168By solar pressure

Examiners

Primary: Barefoot, Galen L.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Evenson, McKeown Edwards & Lenahan, P.L.L.C.

Foreign Patent References

0 195 553 EP. 09/13/1986
0 295 978 EP. 12/13/1988
0 372 434 EP. 06/13/1990
0 435 708 EP. 07/13/1991
2530046 FR 01/13/1984
2 122 965 GB. 01/13/1984
92/09479 WO. 06/13/1992

International Class

B64G 001/24

Foreign Application Priority Data

1991-05-07 DE

Abstract

A method for adjusting the orientation and for compensating interfering torques via solar pressure torques for a satellite moving on an orbit around the earth. The satellite has two solar generators arranged symmetrically on opposite sides of a main body of the satellite. The two solar generators are rotatable independently of one another via servomotors about a first axis of rotation orthogonal to an orbiting plane of the satellite when the position of the satellite is correct. The method comprises the step of: optionally generating solar pressure torques about at least one of three space axes oriented orthogonally with respect to one another, as a result of an adjustment of the solar generators by a targeted rotation about second axes of rotation orthogonal to the first axis of rotation or about the first axis and the second axes of rotation, with respect to a nominal orientation in which the solar generator's normals to surfaces are precisely aligned in the direction of the sun.