摘要:
The system of the present invention is a spacecraft architecture for precision motion control of a payload (10) while isolating disturbances and vibrations to the payload. The motion of the payload module is controlled by reacting on the support module (12) using non-contact actuators (14) disposed between the two modules. The motion of the support module is controlled to follow the payload module using external actuators (24, 26, 28, 30, 32) that react against the surroundings. This system achieves vibration isolation down to zero frequency and is not limited by sensor characteristics.
摘要:
A spacecraft (11) is constructed to include a plurality of low thrust thrusters (24) mounted on a spacecraft appendage (29) and/or a spacecraft bus (26). The plurality of low thrust thrusters (24) are fired in pairs for removing a disturbance torque or providing fine pointing attitude control. In one embodiment, the low thrust thrusters (24) are mounted on a solar array panel (26), thereby increasing the moment arm and enhancing the thrust output of the low thrust thrusters (24). In one embodiment, a spacecraft has a plurality of low thrust thrusters (24) arranged as at least two sets of two low thrust thrusters (24), individual ones of the low thrust thrusters (24) of a set being disposed in a V-configuration and mounted at predetermined locations on at least one of a spacecraft appendage (29) or a spacecraft bus (26).
摘要:
A device for pressurising a unified two-liquid propulsion subsystem for geostationary satellites, including a high-pressure helium storage assembly (10) comprising at least one helium storage tank, a control assembly (11) and an assembly for pressurising propellant tanks (17, 18) interconnected through a pressurising circuit. The control assembly is an electronic control assembly including at least one solenoid valve (51) arranged at one point in the pressurising circuit and controlled by a processing and control circuit (54) receiving data from pressure sensors (43, 47, 48) for the various tanks. Said processing and control circuit enables the propellant tanks (17, 18) to be pressurised at a constant pressure during the satellite transition and position-fixing process, while enabling the amount of residual propellants to be measured during the orbital operating time of the satellite.
摘要:
A satellite comprises at least one surface (4, 5) intended mainly for exposure to solar radiation and extending away from the satellite in a predetermined direction (Y), an on-board computer (8) having connected thereto an attitude sensing system (7), an orbit control system for imparting thrust to the satellite along predetermined axes, and an attitude control system. Said satellite further comprises a device (6') for controlling the tilt of said surface in parallel with a plurality of planes containing said predetermined direction (and therefore particularly in parallel with the plane of a solar panel forming said surface). Said tilt control device is controlled by said on-board computer. Said tilting can generate a moment of pitch or relocate the centre of gravity onto the axis of the orbit control system.
摘要:
A spacecraft control system (32) having monopropellant and bipropellant thrusters (54, 50), both types of thrusters operating from the same fuel. The selected fuel may be catalytically reacted in the monopropellant thrusters (54), or may be oxidized with a separately provided oxidizer in the bipropellant thrusters (50), in each case producing a hot gas which is expelled from the thrusters to create thrust. The fuel is provided in an excess relative to the amount required to react with the available oxidizer, so that the monopropellant thrusters (54) can continue to operate even after the oxidizer supply for the bipropellant thrusters (50) is exhausted. There are no unusable propellants, and the higher efficiency of the bipropellant thrusters is still utilized fully. The preferred fuel is hydrazine and the preferred oxidizer is nitrogen tetroxide.
摘要:
A spacecraft propulsion system which integrates the function of the apogee kick motor (AKM) and reaction control system (RCS). In accordance with this invention, a pump-fed AKM is employed which results in lightweight main tanks and pressurization systems. The RCS thrusters are operated by small bellows tanks (48) which are intermittently pressurized by a gas pressurization system (24) to provide high pressure for operation of the RCS thrusters. The system according to this invention enables use of lighter weight main propellant tanks (14, 16) since they do not have to withstand high internal pressures and also enables realization of the numerous advantages of a pump-fed AKM. Several embodiments described various methods for cycling the bellows tanks.
摘要:
Systems and methods are described herein for mounting a thruster onto a vehicle. A thruster mounting structure may comprise a first, second, and third rotational joint, a boom, and thruster pallet, and a thruster attached to the thruster pallet. The first rotational joint may be attached to the vehicle and configured to rotate in a first axis. The first rotational joint may be connected to the boom and configured to pivot the boom about the first axis. The boom may be connected to the second rotational joint, which is connected to the third rotational joint and configured to rotate the third rotational joint in the first axis. The third rotational joint may be connected to the thruster pallet and configured to pivot the thruster pallet in a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis.
摘要:
A passive thermal system for use in a satellite and other aerospace applications includes a container having a heat-pipe working fluid disposed in a first chamber and a Phase Change Material (PCM) disposed in a second chamber that substantially surrounds the first chamber The first chamber contains a wick for transporting the heat-pipe working fluid. The exterior the first chamber has fins, etc., that extend into the PCM for heat spreading and increased interface area.
摘要:
L'invention concerne un satellite destiné à être mis à poste en orbite autour d'un corps céleste, comportant un premier propulseur électrique de direction de poussée orientable (21), un deuxième propulseur électrique de direction de poussée orientable (22), et un propulseur électrique (16) d'orientation fixe par rapport au satellite, de ligne de poussée passant par le centre de masse du satellite. Ledit satellite comporte deux unités d'alimentation d'un propulseur électrique (25, 26) et un réseau d'interconnexion électrique (23) reliant une première unité d'alimentation (26) au premier propulseur de direction de poussée orientable (21) et au propulseur d'orientation fixe (16), et une deuxième unité d'alimentation (25) au deuxième propulseur de direction de poussée orientable (22) et au propulseur d'orientation fixe (16), de sorte que chacune des unités d'alimentation (25, 26) est apte à alimenter soit le propulseur de direction de poussée orientable associé (22, 21), soit le propulseur d'orientation fixe (16).
摘要:
The present invention relates to a service satellite having a body, a controller and a docking unit. The docking unit includes at least two foldable, adjustable gripping arms pivotally mounted on the satellite body, each gripping arm being pivotable relative to the satellite body, and a gripping end at each free end of the gripping arms, wherein the gripping ends are adapted and configured to capture and grip a target portion of an orbiting satellite. Each gripping arm is controllable independently by the controller, which coordinates the motion of the arms. The service satellite also includes a propulsion unit including a first thruster mounted adjacent a Nadir end of the service satellite body, and a balance thruster, the balance thruster being distanced from the first thruster and facing a different direction than the first thruster, propellant for the thruster and the balance thruster; and means for aligning the thrusters so that a thrusting vector passes through a joint center of gravity of the service satellite and the serviced satellite.