USA as Represented by Secretary of the Navy

Frederick F Mobley

Robert E Fischell

Albert C Sadilek

Glen H Fountain

The invention relates generally to an improved system for sensing and compensating for external disturbance forces acting on a satellite while in orbit. A proof mass member is housed within an enclosure and shielded from external, non-gravitational forces. The proof mass is electromagnetically levitated to move in a purely gravitational orbit, along an axis aligned with the satellite's velocity vector. The proof mass is subjected to a controlled magnetic biasing field and is caused to have a constant reaction to the resultant biasing force, by means of a thermal control system which maintains constant resistivity of the proof mass, during operation. The position of the proof mass with respect to its axis is detected optically and is utilized to control the firing of spacecraft thrusters. As a result, the satellite is caused to maintain a substantially constant position relative to the proof mass and thereby also is caused to follow a purely gravitational orbit.

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Silver Spring, MD, United States of America

Frederick F Mobley