SPACECRAFT Russian patent published in 2002 - IPC

FIELD: spacecraft engine plants and control units. SUBSTANCE: spacecraft is provided with film solar sail, control compartment with voltage sources, switchboard and winches which are connected with sail by means of rods. Ailerons made over periphery of sail are connected with voltage source through switchgear. sail is made in form of polygon with bent external corners and winch rods are connected with these corners. Pulling the corners makes center of light pressure shift relative to center of mass of spacecraft, thus forming control moment changing orientation of sail in pitching and yawing. Spacecraft rotational speed is regulated by means of ailerons controllable by action of electrostatic and centrifugal forces. EFFECT: enhanced maneuverability; enhanced reliability of sail; simplified construction; reduced mass and overall dimensions. 4 cl, 7 dwg