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:
Dec. 09, 1986
Filed:
Aug. 27, 1984
Robert W Astheimer, Westport, CT (US);
Barnes Engineering Company, Stamford, CT (US);
Abstract
A visible-ultraviolet horizon sensor and a method for using the same are provided for obtaining attitude information from a satellite. A plurality of detectors selectively responsive to scattered sunlight in the visible and ultraviolet spectral bands view the earth's disc at a plurality of equally spaced locations around the earth. The detectors are scanned across the earth's disc at a plurality of locations thereby generating electrical signals in response to the intensity of visible-ultraviolet radiation from the crescent or fully illuminated earth's disc. Logic circuitry is provided for processing the electrical signals applied thereto from the detectors for producing attitude information for the satellite which is indicative of the satellite's position with respect to the earth.