DEVICE AND METHOD FOR STABILIZATION OF ORBITAL CIRCULAR STRUCTURE, SOLAR SAIL-REFLECTOR MADE ON BASIS OF THIS STRUCTURE AND UNIT FOR CONNECTION OF SOLAR SAIL WITH PAYLOAD Russian patent published in 1998 - IPC

FIELD: cosmonautics; devices for stabilization and control of orbital structures used as solar sail, reflector, members of orbital stations, antennae, etc. SUBSTANCE: method of stabilization of orbital structures consists in redistribution of mass of discrete parts of circular flywheels over perimeter of torus solenoids embracing these flywheels for correction of local deformations of circular orbital structure through creation of excessive or deficient centrifugal forces of flywheels in respective sections of orbital structure. To ensure such process, use is made of system of tours and radial accumulators of discrete parts engageable with above- mentioned solenoids. Sail-reflector is made in form of crossing plates of mirror louvers stretched on orbital structure and connected with orbital structure by means of opening/closing cable linkage which makes it possible to adjust amount and direction of light flux through orbital structure. Connection of sail with payload is effected with the aid of closed ropes embracing the surface of orbital structure of reflector and payload; these ropes are run through rollers fitted on orbital structure and provided with rope limiters. EFFECT: enhanced reliability. 9 cl, 14 dwg