METHOD FOR MOVING SPACECRAFT TO GEOSTATIONARY ORBIT USING LOW-THRUST ENGINES Russian patent published in 2016 - IPC B64G1/26 B64G1/44 

FIELD: astronautics.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to interorbital maneuvering of a spacecraft (SC). Method involves orbital injection of SC with zero inclination with the help of high-thrust engines. Perigee of this orbit lies below the geostationary orbit (GSO), and the apogee - the above GSO. Accurate placement of SC into GSO is performed by low-thrust engines operating continuously, with the exclusion of two symmetrical inefficient sections of the exchange orbit. At that, orientation of SC in inertial space is invariable and solar battery panels are fixed at an angle to 30° in the direction towards the Sun. Simultaneously with a change in the change orbit eccentricity, the SC drift rate is changed in the required direction and accurate placing into eccentric position with placing in longitude. Operational electroject SC longitudinal correction engine is used as a low-thrust engine.

EFFECT: technical result consists in reduction of time required for putting SC into operation in GSO and minimisation of fuel consumption during accurate SC placing into orbit.

2 cl, 4 dwg