METHOD FOR DETERMINING INERTIA TENSOR OF SPACECRAFT IN FLIGHT Russian patent published in 2016 - IPC G01M1/10 B64G1/28 B64G1/34 B64G1/36 

FIELD: space.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to determination of mass-inertia characteristics of spacecraft. Method includes orientation of spacecraft and stabilisation in an inertial coordinate system (CSI) of its axis, nearest to axis of maximum moment of inertia. Further, method includes spinning spacecraft around said axis with angular speed of not less than 2°/s. Method also includes measuring in system of spacecraft construction lines direction of recorded stars and angular velocity of spacecraft to a certain moment in time. Latter depends on time of spinning spacecraft and interval of movement of spacecraft, weakly disturbed by action of gravity gradient and calculated with a certain coefficient of reliability. Said stars are identified and determined in CSI direction thereon. Inertia tensor of spacecraft is defined by said directions on stars and values of angular velocity of spacecraft.

EFFECT: technical result consists in improvement of reliability of determination of inertia tensor of spacecraft, including in the absence of on-board inertial actuators.

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