AUTOMATIC TETHERING CONTROL SYSTEM Russian patent published in 2004 - IPC

FIELD: space engineering; coupling cooperatable active spacecraft and passive spacecraft. SUBSTANCE: proposed system includes passive and active spacecraft error angle output units relative to sighting line and range and closure rate output units. Some of said units are arranged on active spacecraft and others are arranged on passive spacecraft. Passive spacecraft is also provided with orientation setting and control units, angular velocity sensor and actuating members. Similar members are found on active spacecraft; beside that, provision is made for angle and sighting line angular velocity computers, as well as computers for control of motion of center of mass of active spacecraft and closure rate and determination of correction range. System is provided with two units for determination of moment of termination of correction, active spacecraft mass center computers and five switching units. Connection and interaction of units ensure control of closure rate depending on range and lateral motion of active spacecraft by angles and angular velocity of sighting line. Provision is made for correction of errors by error angles of passive and active spacecraft relative to sighting line. Proposed control system is used for orientation of passive and active spacecraft in single (orbital) system of coordinates, corrections for position of coordinate system are introduced as turn angles of active spacecraft at zeroing of said error angles. EFFECT: enhanced accuracy of coupling. 1 dwg