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Spacecraft control with skewed control moment gyros

  • US 5,681,012 A
  • Filed: 01/05/1995
  • Issued: 10/28/1997
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/05/1995
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method of controlling the attitude of a spacecraft, comprising the steps of:

  • (a) providing two single axis control moment gyros;

    (b) angularly rotating gimbal axes of said gyros a predetermined angle about a common momentum axis to displace said gyros into a skewed scissor pair control arrangement providing two-axis control of said spacecraft;

    (c) measuring spacecraft roll and pitch attitude using spacecraft sensors and forming corresponding roll and pitch measurement signals;

    (d) producing commanded roll and pitch attitude control signals for a maneuver;

    (e) combining the signals of step (c) with the signals of step (d) to generate torque commands; and

    (f) applying said torque commands to alter the attitude of said spacecraft.

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