NAVIGATION SATELLITE ORIENTATION METHOD Russian patent published in 2015 - IPC B64G1/24 B64G1/44 

FIELD: radio engineering, communication.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to controlling orientation of navigation satellites with antennae and solar panels. The method includes orientation of the electrical axis of the antenna (first axis of the satellite) towards the Earth and orientation of solar panels towards the Sun. The latter is achieved by turning the satellite along with the solar panels around said first axis and turning the solar panels around a second axis, perpendicular to the first. Predicted satellite motion is facilitated when passing through special parts of an orbit, which include eclipse portions and portions with large Sun-satellite-Earth angles (greater than 175°). This is achieved through preemptive programmed turns around the first axis of the satellite, which are symmetrical relative to points of the orbit responsible for maximum and minimum Sun-satellite-Earth angles.

EFFECT: reduced error when predicting the movement of the centre of mass of a satellite and the error in knowing the position of the phase centre of an antenna.

4 cl, 5 dwg, 1 tbl