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US 2017/0283094 A1Published application
Systems and methods for satellite orbit and momentum control
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorYiu-Hung Monte Ho
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods for satellite orbit and momentum control are disclosed herein. An example spacecraft includes a first arm having a first end pivotably coupled to the spacecraft and a second end. The example spacecraft includes a first thruster rotatably coupled to the second end of the first arm. The first arm is to selectively pivot about the spacecraft to position the first thruster to generate a change in velocity of the spacecraft to maintain the spacecraft within an orbit station.
Claims20
A spacecraft comprising:
- a first arm having a first end pivotably coupled to the spacecraft and a second end;
- and
- a first thruster rotatably coupled to the second end of the first arm, the first arm to selectively pivot about the spacecraft to position the first thruster to generate a change in velocity of the spacecraft to maintain the spacecraft within an orbit station.
A method comprising:
- determining, by executing an instruction with a processor, a first position of a first thruster of a satellite relative to the satellite to correct an orbit of the satellite;
- and
- pivoting, by executing an instruction with the processor, a first arm coupled to the satellite about the satellite to move the first thruster to the first position, the thruster rotatably coupled to the first arm.
An apparatus comprising:
- a first arm pivotably coupled to a spacecraft;
- a first thruster rotatably coupled to the first arm;
- and
- a controller including a processor, the controller to determine an amount to pivot the first arm about the spacecraft to position the first thruster to generate a change in velocity of the spacecraft to maintain the spacecraft within an orbit station.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.