A method for attitude control of a satellite in inclined low orbit in survival mode is disclosed, the satellite including at least one solar generator, at least one solar sensor, magnetic torquers capable of forming internal magnetic moments in a satellite reference frame having three orthogonal axes X, Y, and Z, and inertial actuators capable of forming internal angular momentums in the satellite reference frame. The at least one solar sensor has a field of view at least 180° wide within the XZ plane around the Z axis, the method including a step of attitude control using a first control law, a step of searching for the sun by means of the at least one solar sensor, when a first phase of visibility of the sun is detected, and a step of attitude control using a second control law.

A method for attitude control of a satellite in inclined low orbit in survival mode is disclosed, the satellite including at least one solar generator, at least one solar sensor, magnetic torquers capable of forming internal magnetic moments in a satellite reference frame having three orthogonal axes X, Y, and Z, and inertial actuators capable of forming internal angular momentums in the satellite reference frame. The at least one solar sensor has a field of view at least 180° wide within the XZ plane around the Z axis, the method including a step of attitude control using a first control law, a step of searching for the sun by means of the at least one solar sensor, when a first phase of visibility of the sun is detected, and a step of attitude control using a second control law.

An antenna system is configured for use in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) around Earth. The system has a plurality of antenna satellites coupled together to form a phased array. Each of the plurality of antenna satellites have an antenna body with an antenna and a solar cell. A processing device determines an orientation of the plurality of antenna satellites and position the phased array in the orientation based on an analysis of the solar cell of the antenna bodies facing the sun, the antenna of the antenna bodies facing the Earth, and maintaining a torque equilibrium of the phased array.

A: spacecraft attitude control system comprising •at least one attitude control device (2), the attitude control device comprising •first and second magnets (3, 4) having magnetic dipole moments M1 and M2 respectively, each magnet (3, 4) comprising a north pole face and a south pole face; •the magnets (3, 4) being spaced apart along a length axis by a gap, •for each magnet the pole face closest to the other magnet being termed the closest face, the magnets being arranged with the closest faces being of the same pole; •the first magnet 3 being connected to a rotation mechanism (7), the rotation mechanism being adapted to rotate the first magnet about first and second axes (8, 9), none of the first axis (8), second axis (9) and magnetic dipole moment M1, M2 of the first magnet (3) being parallel to the other.

A method for monitoring position of and controlling a second nanosatellite (NS) relative to a position of a first NS. Each of the first and second NSs has a rectangular or cubical configuration of independently activatable, current-carrying solenoids, each solenoid having an independent magnetic dipole moment vector, μ1 and μ2. A vector force F and a vector torque are expressed as linear or bilinear combinations of the first set and second set of magnetic moments, and a distance vector extending between the first and second NSs is estimated. Control equations are applied to estimate vectors, μ1 and μ2, required to move the NSs toward a desired NS configuration. This extends to control of N nanosatellites.

A magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) flow control mechanism is described which substantially improves the existing processes in that smaller magnetic fields, requiring far less mass, may be placed away from the forebody of the spacecraft to produce Lorentz forces that augment the lift and the drag forces for guidance, navigation, and control of the spacecraft. The MHD flow control mechanism may also be configured to provide additional thermal protection of the electrodes therein.

A spacecraft nutation inhibition method for low-orbit geomagnetic energy storage in-orbit delivery includes: S1, enabling a delivery connection rod to be slidably connected to two mass blocks in a length direction, and adjusting the center of mass of a spacecraft system to pass through a main connecting shaft; S2, respectively measuring, calibrating and adjusting the center of mass and the principal axis of inertia of the delivery connection rod that is to deliver the space target or de-orbit debris; S3, carrying out energy storage delivery; S4, respectively adjusting the center of mass and the moment of inertia of the delivery connection rod after delivering the space target or de-orbit debris; S5, carrying out energy dissipation and unloading; and S6, enabling the spacecraft system to prepare to grab the next space target or de-orbit debris and proceeding to the next delivery work cycle.

A spacecraft nutation inhibition method for low-orbit geomagnetic energy storage in-orbit delivery includes: S1, enabling a delivery connection rod to be slidably connected to two mass blocks in a length direction, and adjusting the center of mass of a spacecraft system to pass through a main connecting shaft; S2, respectively measuring, calibrating and adjusting the center of mass and the principal axis of inertia of the delivery connection rod that is to deliver the space target or de-orbit debris; S3, carrying out energy storage delivery; S4, respectively adjusting the center of mass and the moment of inertia of the delivery connection rod after delivering the space target or de-orbit debris; S5, carrying out energy dissipation and unloading; and S6, enabling the spacecraft system to prepare to grab the next space target or de-orbit debris and proceeding to the next delivery work cycle.

A method for attitude control of a satellite in inclined low orbit in survival mode is disclosed, the satellite including at least one solar generator, at least one solar sensor, magnetic torquers capable of forming internal magnetic moments in a satellite reference frame having three orthogonal axes X, Y, and Z, and inertial actuators capable of forming internal angular momentums in the satellite reference frame. The at least one solar sensor has a field of view at least 180° wide within the XZ plane around the Z axis, the method including a step of attitude control using a first control law, a step of searching for the sun by means of the at least one solar sensor, when a first phase of visibility of the sun is detected, and a step of attitude control using a second control law.

A method for attitude control of a satellite in inclined low orbit in survival mode is disclosed, the satellite including at least one solar generator, at least one solar sensor, magnetic torquers capable of forming internal magnetic moments in a satellite reference frame having three orthogonal axes X, Y, and Z, and inertial actuators capable of forming internal angular momentums in the satellite reference frame. The at least one solar sensor has a field of view at least 180° wide within the XZ plane around the Z axis, the method including a step of attitude control using a first control law, a step of searching for the sun by means of the at least one solar sensor, when a first phase of visibility of the sun is detected, and a step of attitude control using a second control law.