Methods for reducing solar array power variations while managing the system influences of operating with off-pointed solar wings on spacecraft

摘要

Solar wing positioning methods are provided which favorably reduce seasonal variation of generated power in a satellite while simultaneously managing the composite system influence that off pointed solar wing operation imposes on the satellite. The composite system influence includes environmental torques and may also include other system influences such as wing-to-body thermal radiation, thruster plume impingement and antenna/sensor field of view encroachment. In the simplest method embodiment, the solar wings are tilted asymmetrically from a nominal position to reduce seasonal power variations and are further tilted symmetrically to generate a solar pressure torque component which, on a diurnal average basis, compensates a gravity gradient torque component that is substantially generated by the net, off pointed configuration of the wings.