METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PROTECTION OF SPACECRAFT Russian patent published in 2003 - IPC

FIELD: space engineering; methods and devices for ensuring safe flight of spacecraft. SUBSTANCE: proposed method includes detection of space debris in space and removal of spacecraft from dangerous zone by starting the rocket engine. Device proposed for protection of spacecraft includes rocket engines mounted in case of spacecraft; thrust vectors of these engines are perpendicular relative to each other. Mounted on spacecraft case are external heat shield and internal shield made in form of electrically-insulated sections of plasticized piezo-electric sensors secured on primary structure of spacecraft. Said sensors are oriented relative to longitudinal axis OX and transversal axis of spacecraft and are connected with rocket engines through on-board start control complex. Electric outputs of piezo-electric mounted on surface of load-bearing shell which are perpendicular to transversal axis OZ and transversal axis OY are connected to inputs of amplifiers in such way that their outputs are connected with inputs of first OR-gate whose output is connected to input of on-board rocket engine start control complex at thrust along axis OX. Electric outputs of piezo-electric elements mounted on surface perpendicular to longitudinal axis OX are connected to inputs of amplifiers whose outputs are connected with inputs of second OR-gate whose output is connected to input of on-board rocket engine start control complex at thrust along axis OY. Outputs of all amplifiers are connected with inputs of on-board radio transmitter modulator. Rocket engines are provided with temperature sensors whose outputs are electrically connected with inputs of on-board radio transmitter modulator. EFFECT: enhanced safety of flight. 4 cl, 2 dwg