METHOD FOR ACTIVE-PASSIVE DAMPING, ORIENTATION AND STABILISATION OF SPACECRAFT Russian patent published in 2012 - IPC B64G1/24 

FIELD: transport.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to spacecraft engineering. Method for active-passive damping, orientation and stabilisation of spacecraft on orbits with height up to 400 km includes combined moment action from gravity stabiliser and jet thrust. Roll and pitch orientation of space craft is executed in response to a signal from control unit at the moment of maximum deviation of gravity stabiliser longitudinal axis from its dynamic balance position along local vertical by single or multiple switching on the jet engines in the plane of deviation and towards deviation. Jet engines are located at remote relative to spacecraft mass centre end of gravity stabiliser so that thrust vector of each jet engine could be perpendicular to longitudinal axis of gravity stabiliser. Damping and active roll and pitch stabilisation of spacecraft is executed in response to a signal from control unit by single or multiple switching on the jet engines at the moment when gravity stabiliser end crosses local vertical, in the plane of deviation and opposite to direction of deviation. Yaw damping, orientation and stabilisation of spacecraft is executed in response to a signal from control unit by deploying additionally introduced aerodynamic shield with ballistic coefficient exceeds ballistic coefficient of the spacecraft. Connection of spacecraft and the shield is performed using flexible link, swivel and at least three slings where total length of the mentioned connection is not less than ½ middle of the shield.

EFFECT: lower fuel consumption.

2 dwg