METHOD OF DETERMINATION OF MASS OF ASSEMBLY OF SPACE OBJECTS IN COURSE OF CHANGE OF ORBIT PARAMETERS Russian patent published in 1997 - IPC

FIELD: space engineering. SUBSTANCE: method consists in measuring the parameters of motion of object to be mated whose mass is known; mass of assembly is determined by these parameters and by momentum applied to assembly by propulsor of object to be mated. In course of measurements, time interval in operation of propulsor is found at which momenta determined by measured parameters of motion of object to be mated and by measured parameters of propulsor are minimum. Magnitudes of working parameters of propulsor noted for this interval of time. To change orbit parameters after assembly, momentum is realized during operation of propulsor within the range of above-mentioned working parameters. Mass of assembly is determined at the same interval by magnitude of momentum determined by measured magnitudes of propulsor parameters taking into account magnitude of difference of momentum. EFFECT: enhanced efficiency.