METHOD OF DETERMINING GROUND ALBEDO IN SUBSATELLITE POINTS OF SPACECRAFT ORBIT (VERSIONS) Russian patent published in 2009 - IPC G01V9/00 G01J5/20 B64G1/44 

FIELD: physics.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to space engineering, used in geophysics for determining and controlling integral parametres of radiant heat exchange of sections of the surface of a planet, around which spacecraft with solar cells (SC) is rotating. The method involves determination of moments when the sun is in a zenith region above the said spacecraft (and the spacecraft, respectively - in the point under the sun). If the spacecraft is fitted with two single-sided solar cells with zero power output of their back surface, then when one solar element passes the said point under the sun, then one solar cell is turned normally in the direction of the sun, and the other solar cell is turned in the direction opposite the sun. Value of current in each solar cell is measured, from which, taking into account a known coefficient of relative output power of the battery, the albedo of the corresponding subsatellite point of the earth surface is determined. For spacecraft, the solar cells of which have back surface with non-zero output power, at the moment of passing through points under the sun on two successive orbit passes, one ore more solar cells are turned normally in the direction of the sun on the first pass. At the second pass, turning is done in an opposite direction. Values of current of the solar cells in their first and second orientations are measured, from which, taking into account the known coefficient of relative output power of the back and working surfaces of the solar cell, the albedo in the corresponding subsatellite point of the surface of the earth is determined.

EFFECT: possibility of determining current value of local albedo of the Earth without carrying out expensive operations of fitting the spacecraft with extra devices and manoeuvring of the spacecraft.

2 cl, 4 dwg