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:
Nov. 02, 1993
Filed:
Jun. 24, 1992
Robert C Savoca, Ridgefield, CT (US);
EDO Corporation, Barnes Engineering Division, Shelton, CT (US);
Abstract
A scanning sensor having a radiation detector is mounted on a spacecraft or satellite orbiting the earth. The scanner is pointed in such a way with respect to the orbit plane of the satellite that the instantaneous field of view of the detector crosses the region between the lower and upper limits of the travel of a celestial body in a year in order for the radiation detector of the earth sensor to encounter the celestial body at least once per orbit. Electrical signals based on the horizon crossing and the presence of a celestial body in the field of view of the detector are generated and used to derive Yaw, Pitch and Roll attitude information for the satellite with respect to the earth.