METHOD TO CONTROL RELATIVE ALTITUDE(S) OF SPACECRAFT IN UNIT FLIGHT Russian patent published in 2011 - IPC G01S5/02 

FIELD: physics.

SUBSTANCE: control device D for spacecraft in unit flight comprises i) complex of, at least, three transceiver antennas (A1-A3) mounted on, at least, three sides of spacecraft different directions to receive/transmit first and second RF-signals with first and second frequencies differing in frequency spacing, ii) first measuring means (Ml) to define difference in flight time of antennas (A1-A3) corresponding to first and second frequency spacing proceeding from first and second signals received by antennas from the other spacecraft, iii) processing means (MT) intended for a) approximate estimation of received signal transmission proceeding initial first and second flight time differences, b) feeding instruction on spacecraft (S1) positioning so that reference system selected axis gets aligned with approximate direction of transmission, c) feeding instruction on making spacecraft (S1) rotate about selected axis, d) accurate estimation of transmission direction for signal radiated by the other spacecraft (S1') proceeding from revolution measurement and measurement of the first and second flight time differences caused by said revolution.

EFFECT: higher accuracy of determining sighting axes and distances between spacecraft.

15 cl, 7 dwg