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:
Jan. 25, 2000
Filed:
May. 12, 1997
Olivier Lambeaux, Tournefeuille, FR;
Bernard Polle, Saint Orens de Gameville, FR;
Matra Marconi Space France SA, Paris, FR;
Abstract
An earth orbiting satellite is enabled to assume a 'survival mode' of operation in which its x axis is aligned with the sun by observing characteristics of the movement of the frame of the satellite (e.g. its x axis) relative to the sun and performing calculations based on those operations. A more accurate result is achieved if a deliberate offset is introduced between the mean direction of the x axis and the sun's direction. The control arrangement for positioning the x axis with this offset is preferably adaptive, resulting in control of the satellite's thrusters so as to produce oscillation of the x axis in a way which allows suitable measurements to be taken.