Three-axis spacecraft momentum management is performed for a spacecraft traveling along a trajectory, by an actuator including at least one thruster disposed on a single positioning mechanism. As the spacecraft travels along the trajectory, a desired line of thrust undergoes a substantial rotation in inertial space. When the spacecraft is located at a first location on the trajectory, the single positioning mechanism orients the thruster so as to produce a first torque to manage stored momentum in at least one of a first and a second of the three inertial spacecraft axes. When the spacecraft is located at a second location on the trajectory, the single positioning mechanism orients the thruster so as to produce a second torque to manage stored momentum in at least a third of the three inertial spacecraft axes.


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    Title :

    Spacecraft momentum management


    Contributors:

    Publication date :

    2015-08-18


    Type of media :

    Patent


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English


    Classification :

    IPC:    B64G Raumfahrt , COSMONAUTICS / F03H PRODUCING A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR , Erzeugung von Vortriebskraft [Schub] nach dem Prinzip des Rückstoßes, soweit nicht anderweitig vorgesehen



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    Chen, L. C. / Davenport, P. B. / Sturch, C. R. | NTRS | 1980


    Directed Momentum Management for Rotating Spacecraft

    Ratan, Santosh / Rogers, Keith | AIAA | 2002


    Actuator/Sensor Interaction in Spacecraft Momentum Management

    Howley, B. / American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics / AAS | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2000