CONTROL OVER ORBITAL SPACECRAFT Russian patent published in 2014 - IPC B64G1/24 B64G1/44 B64G1/50 

FIELD: aircraft engineering.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to in-flight control over spacecraft equipped with heat radiator and solar battery. Proposed process comprises spacecraft flight in orbit around the planet with solar battery turn to position corresponding to normal to solar battery working surface directed to the Sun. Spacecraft orbital orientation is constructed whereat solar battery spinning plate is parallel with spacecraft orbit plane while solar battery is located on the Sun side relative to orbit plane. Spacecraft orbit altitude and angle between direction to the Sun and spacecraft orbit plane are defined. Magnitude of said angle (β*) is defined whereat duration of turn shadow section equals the necessary time of radiator heat release in said turn. Orbit turns are defined wherein current magnitude of said angle is larger than β*. In said turns, solar battery is turned around crosswise and lengthwise rotation axes unless shadowing of solar battery radiator. Note here that minimum departure of orientation of solar battery working surface to the Sun. Spacecraft orbital flight is conducted in near-circle orbit at altitude not exceeding a definite design value.

EFFECT: higher efficiency of radiator with solar battery shadowed at whatever position of spacecraft on orbit turn.

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