DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING SPACECRAFT MUTUAL ORIENTATION Russian patent published in 2020 - IPC G01C21/24 B64G1/24 

FIELD: optics.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to the field of optoelectronic instrument making and is intended for use in spacecraft motion control systems. Claimed device for monitoring of spacecraft (SC) mutual orientation consists in the fact that a cooperating spacecraft is equipped with a device, in the housing of which there is an output window with an element in the form of a cross, which sets the coordinate system. Other elements in the form of two concentric rings and four bisectors are located inside on the housing wall. These elements are projected by means of a flat mirror on a plane located at a certain distance from the cross, wherein in the projection of the cross on this plane the axes of symmetry of the cross coincide with axes of symmetry of the bisectors, and the centres of the rings coincide with the centre of the cross. All inner surfaces and the front panel of the device have a black light-absorbing coating. Element in the form of a cross, which sets the coordinate system, elements in the form of two concentric rings and four bisectors are made of light fibres with side luminescence, which using light conductors and the optical connector are connected to a light source controlled from the control unit by signals from the photosensor mounted on the front panel of the device housing and responsive to the external lighting environment.

EFFECT: technical result is optimization of ergonomic characteristics and expansion of functional capabilities of device for controlling mutual orientation of spacecraft.

1 cl, 4 dwg