Spacecraft momentum management using solar array

摘要

Stored momentum on a spacecraft is managed by determining a target profile of stored momentum as a function of time for the spacecraft; measuring a difference between a momentum value actually stored on the spacecraft and a desired momentum value, where the desired momentum value substantially conforms to the target profile at a particular time; reducing the difference by producing a torque on the spacecraft, where the torque results from selectively controlling at least one solar array position offset angle, the offset angle being an offset of at least one solar array of the spacecraft from a nominal sun pointing direction.