Satellite deorbiting system
AssigneeArianegroup SAS
InventorsBENJAMIN RASSE, PATRICE DAMIANO
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A device to stabilize and deorbit a satellite includes a pair of coplanar masts, each one carrying at least one membrane forming an aerobraking web. The masts are fixed to the satellite along non-parallel axes. Each mast is provided on the opposite end of the satellite with a mass to generate a gravity gradient. The end of each mast is fixed to the satellite. The masts form, with the bisectrix between the masts, a fixed angle to align the bisectrix with the satellite speed vector at any altitude.
Claims8
1-7. (canceled)
A satellite stabilization and deorbiting device to stabilize and deorbit a satellite, comprising a pair of coplanar masts, each coplanar mast carrying at least one membrane to form an aerobraking sail, said coplanar masts are fixed to the satellite along non-parallel axes, each coplanar mast is provided on an opposite end of the satellite with a mass to generate a gravity gradient, an end of said each coplanar mast is fixed to the satellite;
- and wherein said coplanar masts form, with a bisectrix between said coplanar masts, a fixed angle to align the bisectrix with a satellite velocity vector at any altitude.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.