SPACECRAFT ENERGY STORAGE, ATTITUDE STEERING AND MOMENTUM MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

摘要

A system for providing energy storage, attitude steering, and momentum management of a spacecraft is shown using a pair of gimbaled flywheels (24,30). Two flywheels (24,30) are positioned with spin axes (26,32) nominally co-aligned along the spacecraft pitch axis (P) and are spun in opposite or the same direction (36,38) at differential or equal speeds to store spacecraft momentum as desired. Angular momentum can be tilted from the normal alignment with respect to the spacecraft body. This system will reduce the weight of conventional spacecraft and also reduce the cost.