APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR SPACECRAFT ATTITUDE CONTROL USING A SOLAR SAIL

    公开(公告)号:US20230322417A1

    公开(公告)日:2023-10-12

    申请号:US18208641

    申请日:2023-06-12

    IPC分类号: B64G1/40 B64G1/28

    CPC分类号: B64G1/407 B64G1/283

    摘要: An attitude control module is described for providing propellant-free attitude control and momentum desaturation to a spacecraft. The attitude control module includes at least one solar sail comprising a reflective surface for reflecting solar photons; and at least one robotic arm coupled to the at least one solar sail, said at least one robotic arm comprising at least 4 degrees of freedom for positioning and orienting the at least one solar sail relative to the spacecraft. A corresponding method for operating the attitude control module to unload excess momentum from a spacecraft is also described.