DEVICE FOR NEAR-SPACECRAFT RELATIVE POSITION CONTROL Russian patent published in 2019 - IPC G01B21/22 B64G1/64 

FIELD: instrument engineering.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to the field of optoelectronic instrument making and is intended for use in spacecraft motion control systems. Claimed device for near-spacecrafts relative position control comprises a target mounted on passive spacecraft and emitters. In the output window of the target there is an emitter in form of a rectangular cross, the center of which crosses the origin of the coordinate system of the target OXYZ, axes of symmetry of sides of cross coincide with axes OY and OZ, axis OX is directed from center of cross-hair towards radiation. Behind the cross inside the target there is a spherical mirror whose optical axis coincides with the axis OX of the target. Between the cross and the spherical mirror there is an emitter with a mask facing the spherical mirror, at a distance from the mirror corresponding to the formation of a larger virtual mask image. Position of this image, visible from the side of the active spacecraft, against the backdrop of the luminous cross, makes it possible to estimate angular deviations of the axis of the passive spacecraft from the axis of the active spacecraft. Photodetector mounted on the outer surface of the target is electrically connected to the radiator control unit, which enables to control the orientation of the spacecraft in a wide range of background illumination of the target on the day and night side of the orbit.

EFFECT: high ergonomic characteristics and broader functional capabilities of the device for monitoring the relative position of spacecraft when approaching.

1 cl, 5 dwg