SPACECRAFT ORIENTATION METHOD Russian patent published in 2020 - IPC B64G1/10 

FIELD: space equipment.

SUBSTANCE: in the spacecraft (SC) orientation method, the SC is oriented relative to the direction to the Sun and the Earth. After SC orientation relative to the direction to the Sun in the specified range of angles using the autonomous control loop according to the information of the SC body angular position determining system relative to the orientation axes, the Sun search prohibition is set. During the passage of the orbital shadow section with the information on the presence of the Sun disappearing in the field of vision of the solar device, a timer is switched on for a time equal to the maximum passage time of the orbital shadow section, wherein SC orientation relative to direction to Sun is performed using angular velocity meter by integration of angular velocities relative to SC orientation axes. When the Sun appears in the field of view of the solar device, the timer is reset and orientation SC is controlled according to information from the solar device. When the timer is actuated, the prohibition to search for the SC of the Sun is removed.

EFFECT: providing maximum illumination of panels of solar batteries SC.

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