Visible-UV horizon sensor
AssigneeBarnes Engineering Company
InventorRobert W. Astheimer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A visible-ultraviolet horizon sensor and a method for using the same are provided for obtaining attitude information from a satellite. A plurality of detectors selectively responsive to scattered sunlight in the visible and ultraviolet spectral bands view the earth's disc at a plurality of equally spaced locations around the earth. The detectors are scanned across the earth's disc at a plurality of locations thereby generating electrical signals in response to the intensity of visible-ultraviolet radiation from the crescent or fully illuminated earth's disc. Logic circuitry is provided for processing the electrical signals applied thereto from the detectors for producing attitude information for the satellite which is indicative of the satellite's position with respect to the earth.
Claims7
A visible-UV horizon sensor for providing attitude information at geosynchronous altitudes from a satellite comprising:
- a plurality of detector means selectively responsive to scattered sunlight in the visible and ultraviolet spectral bands,
- means for directing the fields of view of said detector means over the earth's disc at a plurality of locations whereby said detector means generate electrical signals in response to the intensity of visible and ultraviolet radiation from the crescent or fully illuminated earth disc,
- circuit means having said electrical signals from said detector means applied thereto for producing attitude information for said satellite providing the satellite's position with respect to the earth.
The method of providing attitude information for a satellite with respect to the earth comprising the steps of:
- viewing the earth's disc at a plurality of equally spaced locations around the earth with detector means sensitive to visible and ultraviolet radiation,
- directing the field of view of said detector means across the earth's disc at said spaced locations using the crescent or fully illuminated earth disc,
- detecting visible and ultraviolet radiation from the crescent or fully illuminated earth disc and generating electrical signals with respect to the intensity of visible and ultraviolet energy detected, and
- using said electrical signals to determine the attitude of said satellite with respect to the earth.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.