The patent describes a system for autonomously unloading accumulated angular momentum on space craft reaction wheels in the attitude control systems with external torques generated by the interaction of spacecraft magnetic dipoles with the earth's magnetic field. An onboard computer receives reaction wheel speed information, wheel speed threshold and geomagnetic latitude information and controls magnetic dipoles that will create a spacecraft torque and desaturate reaction wheels in a closed loop system. (Author)
Spacecraft Closed Loop Three-Axis Momentum Unloading System
1975
4 pages
Report
No indication
English
Unmanned Spacecraft , Navigation & Guidance System Components , Government Inventions for Licensing , Patents , Satellite attitude , Attitude control systems , Reaction control systems , Angular momentum , Torque , Closed loop systems , Momentum transfer , Magnetic fields , Reaction wheels , PAT-CL-244-166