Calibration procedure for gyroscopic meters on stabilised satellites - involves using satellite command system and solar, stellar and terrestrial measurements to determine constant gyroscopic drift

摘要

The procedure involves receiving position and attitude information from solar sensors (1), terrestrial and stellar sensors (3A,B) and gyroscopic meters (5). After treatment (21) the data and other orbital information (22) is processed by a Kalman filter which produces command signals to nozzle actuators (6). Since position and attitude information from earth may be lost at critical moments any constant gyroscopic drift must be regularly determined. This is done by using the command system to compare in real time attitude estimates from the gyroscopes with those derived from the other sensors, storing constant amounts of gyroscopic drift. ADVANTAGE - Gyroscopic drift is determined to very high accuracy.