The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 16, 2019
Filed:
Jun. 22, 2015
Triad National Security, Llc, Los Alamos, NM (US);
Stephen Judd, Los Alamos, NM (US);
Nicholas Dallmann, Los Alamos, NM (US);
Michael Proicou, Los Alamos, NM (US);
Daniel Seitz, Los Alamos, NM (US);
Paul Stein, Los Alamos, NM (US);
John Martinez, Los Alamos, NM (US);
Gayle Kestell, Los Alamos, NM (US);
Adam Warniment, Santa Fe, NM (US);
Steven Storms, Los Alamos, NM (US);
Triad National Security, LLC, Los Alamos, NM (US);
Abstract
An ADCS module may be configured to use coordinate data fromD photodiodes in one or more sun sensors to determine a sun vector. The ADCS module may then use the sun vector in reference to its own body faced (BF) coordinate system to calculate a change in the orientation of the space vehicle. The change in orientation mechanism may be accomplished by reaction wheels, ion thrusters, or other orientation altering mechanisms. A miniature, intelligent star tracker may be included that improves satellite attitude determination and pointing accuracy. An improved reaction wheel assembly may be included that is more robust and suitable for inclusion in small space vehicles.