METHOD OF INITIAL ORIENTATION FOR SPACECRAFT Russian patent published in 2002 - IPC

FIELD: space engineering; spacecraft control systems. SUBSTANCE: proposed method consists in damping initial oscillations of spacecraft by gyroscope signals. Correspondence of positions of stable equilibrium of gyroscope on stops and magnitude and signs of spacecraft angular velocities is found through calculations. Predominant angular velocity is selected for each stable position of gyroscope on stops. This velocity is compensated for by signals received from gyroscope attitude sensors by means of on-board computer and actuating members of attitude control system, after which gyroscope takes new position of stable equilibrium in accordance with residual non-compensated angular velocity which is compensated for similarly by signals from gyroscope attitude sensors till getting into working zone. EFFECT: simplified of control laws; facilitated procedure. 3 dwg