METHOD OF MEASURING GRAVITATIONAL FIELD OF THE EARTH AND DEVICE FOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION Russian patent published in 2024 - IPC G01V7/16 

FIELD: measuring equipment; cosmonautics.

SUBSTANCE: group of inventions relates to means of measuring the Earth's gravitational field (EGF) using a spacecraft (SC) in a circular orbit. Essence: device for measuring EGF contains a sensitive element of an accelerometer, a moment sensor, Thompson spinning top (2) installed in loaded state on fixed base (3) and fixed in guide (8) through bearing (10). Guide (8) is fixed on housing (1) of the device and in base (3) by means of springs (9). Thompson spinning top (2) is connected to electric motor (5) via electric coupling (4). Electric motor (5) and electric coupling (4) are connected to accumulator (7). At that, electric coupling (4) is connected to accumulator (7) through switch (6). A computer (12) connected to electric motor (5), accumulator (7) and strain gauge (11) is installed on housing (1). Strain gage (11) is installed between guide (8) and housing (1) of the device. Spacecraft is oriented along the normal to the EGF at the measurement section using the gravitational-magnetic orientation and stabilization system. Device for measuring EGF is installed in close proximity to the center of mass of the spacecraft and connected to the orientation and stabilization system. Thompson spinning top is brought into rotation. Gyroscopic moment arising at precession of Thompson spinning top is measured. Support reaction is determined by formula for gyroscopic moment of spinning top. Variation of normal reaction of the support is used to determine change in free fall acceleration and its distribution along the investigated section of the spacecraft trajectory. Based on the measurement of the free fall acceleration, the EGF force is determined at the measurement point.

EFFECT: higher accuracy and simplified EGF measurement.

2 cl, 1 dwg