Thales

Alexandre Kaltenbach

Raphaël Hache

Stéphane Tessandori

Raphael Hache

A method for stationing a satellite comprises a transfer phase, during which the satellite moves on an elliptical geosynchronous orbit, the orbit being deformed progressively by application of a thrust by electrical or hybrid electrical-chemical propulsion to bring it closer to a geostationary orbit. The transfer step comprises a substep during which, during a plurality of revolutions of the satellite, the thrust is stopped for a fraction of orbital period and tests of a telecommunications payload of the satellite are performed in the absence of thrust.

Method for stationing a satellite and in-orbit testing of its payload

An electric propulsion device for a satellite equipped with at least four active thrusters exerting a parallel thrust upon a transfer, the device comprises means for detecting a thruster failure and means for reorienting the thrusters, and comprises means for computing a reorientation angle of the thrusters remaining active upon a failure of a thruster, the value of the angle being computed to reorient at least two of the remaining thrusters in order to cancel the total torque about the center of mass of the satellite.

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Cannes la Bocca, France

Alexandre Kaltenbach