METHOD OF CONTROL OF SPACECRAFT MOTION AND CONTROL SYSTEM FOR REALIZATION OF THIS METHOD Russian patent published in 2007 - IPC B64G1/26 

FIELD: control of relative and absolute motion of spacecraft with the aid of low-thrust electric rocket engines.

SUBSTANCE: proposed method includes action of jet engines on spacecraft; jet engines are mounted in common setting plane of spacecraft body which is orthogonal relative to its main inertial axes. Adjacent engines are installed at angular displacement α between them in sectors of said setting plane free from items of equipment. Magnitude α is selected from condition (360^o-β)≤α≤(360^o-β)/(N-1), where N is number of engines (no less than 5); β is total central angle of setting plane sectors where solar battery panels are located. Direction of engine thrust vector may change relative to this plane both in plane proper or in parallel plane. Provision is made for orientation of thrust vectors in plane orthogonal relative to setting plane and intersecting the main inertial plane of spacecraft.

EFFECT: reduced amount of working medium in spacecraft; enhanced reliability; increased service life of control system; reduction of power losses of solar battery panels; reduced mass of spacecraft power plant.

11 cl, 16 dwg