A system and method are disclosed for an innovative spacecraft (S/C) safing methodology. The system and method use wheel momentum to perform a rotisserie rotation so that the spacecraft can slew at a fast rate in a controlled fashion in order to keep the spacecraft power safe and maintain telemetry and command (T&C) coverage. The system and method involve a reaction wheel system and a spacecraft control processor (SCP). The SCP is in communication with the reaction wheel system. The SCP is operable to determine a rotisserie axis, and take the cross product of the rotisserie axis and a momentum vector to result in a unit vector. The SCP is further operable to slowly slew the spacecraft about the unit vector through an angle until the rotisserie axis aligns with the momentum vector, and rotate the spacecraft about the rotisserie axis to keep the spacecraft power safe.
This information is part of a study by Oasis Global, Inc. of all space inventions filed at the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and is provided for informational purposes only. It is not an endorsement of any particular assignee, inventor or invention. Although Peter A. Koziol represents inventors and assignees of space inventions he does not represent all of the inventors and assignees listed. The prosecuting attorney agent or firm for each patent is identified by the United States Patent and Trademark Office in the patent specfication, which can be viewed by clicking on the patent image or downloading the patent document. For more information regarding Mr. Koziol's background and experience, or to learn more about space inventions, please contact Mr. Koziol.
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