US 5,211,360 AGranted

Spacecraft thermal disturbance control system

AssigneeFairchild Space and Defense Corporation

InventorDarrell F. Zimbelman

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Abstract

A spacecraft thermal disturbance control system for controlling the torque exerted on the main portion of a spacecraft as a result of a thermal gradient being applied to a portion of the spacecraft that projects from the spacecraft's main portion. The spacecraft thermal disturbance control system includes a network of distributed temperature sensors located on the surfaces of the projecting portion of the spacecraft, a microcomputer operatively connected to the temperature sensors for receiving temperature information from the temperature sensors and a reaction wheel assembly operatively connected to the microcomputer. The microcomputer provides command signals to the reaction wheel assembly based upon temperature information received from the temperature sensors to cause the reaction wheel assembly to generate a torque that counteracts the torque exerted on the main portion of the spacecraft as a result of the thermal gradient applied to the projecting portion of the spacecraft.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A spacecraft thermal disturbance control system for a spacecraft with a main portion and a projecting potion extending from said main portion which is to be subjected to a thermal gradient which in turn produces a torque exerted on the main portion of said spacecraft comprising a plurality of thermal sensors located on said projecting portion of the spacecraft projecting from the main portion of the spacecraft;

control means operatively connected to said thermal sensors for receiving temperature information from said thermal sensors and for providing control commands based upon the received temperature information to counter said thermal gradient torque exerted on the main portion of said spacecraft as a result of a thermal gradient being applied to said projecting portion of the spacecraft projecting from the main portion of the spacecraft;
and anti-torque means operatively connected to said control means for providing a torque based upon commands received from said control means to counter the torque exerted on the main portion of said spacecraft as a result of a thermal gradient being applied to the projecting portion of said spacecraft.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.