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US 10,647,450 B2Granted
Satellite control system using electrically controllable variable reflection glass panels
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorHarold A. Rosen
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for the control of the attitude of earth orbiting satellites and the orbit and attitude control of a novel gravitational wave detection satellite configuration located near the sun-earth Lagrangian points L3, L4 and L5, utilizing the control of solar radiation pressure by the use of electrically controllable variable reflection glass panels to provide the torques and forces needed.
Claims13
A method of controlling a satellite having a satellite body, comprising:
- accepting an error signal;
- and
- varying a reflectivity of at least one control panel coupled to the satellite body and at least partially facing the sun according to the error signal to control the satellite in at least one of orbit and attitude;
- wherein the control panel comprises a glass panel having an electrically controllable variable reflection, wherein the glass panel comprises:
- a first outer transparent layer located on a side of the control panel facing the sun;
- a second outer transparent layer, having a reflective film located on a second transparent layer outer surface opposing the first transparent layer;
- and
- a middle layer, located between the first outer transparent and the second outer transparent layer, the middle layer having an electrically controllable transparency.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.