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:
May. 24, 1988
Filed:
Feb. 26, 1987
Ernst Bruderle, Ottobrunn, DE;
Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm GmbH, Munich, DE;
Abstract
A method for determining the earth's magnetic field and, selectively, additionally, for determining a satellite orientation as a premise for the attitude control of an earth satellite in a known orbit. The satellite is equipped with magnetic coils 5, 6, and 7, gyros, sun sensors and reaction and/or flywheels 1, 2, 3, 4. The x-axis of a coordinate system integral with the satellite is continuously oriented towards the sun. The satellite can be rotated through a variable angle of rotation .alpha. around the x-axis. At three instants t.sub.0, t.sub.1, t.sub.2, spaced from each other by small time intervals, respective angular momentum components H.sub.y, H.sub.z are measured. Herein, a constant magnetic moment M.sub.x is generated throughout the second time interval. From these domains, the components of the earth's magnetic field B.sub.y, B.sub.z are calculated for t.sub.0. From this, subsequently, the angle of rotation .alpha. can be determined. The components of the angular momentum result from the rpm's of the reaction and/or flywheels, as well as gyros.