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Determination of spacecraft orientation by the temperature field analysis of its outer surface

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Thermophysics and Aeromechanics Aims and scope

Abstract

It was demonstrated that by analysing temperature field of the outer surface of the spacecraft it is possible to determine its orientation — directions to the principal heat sources within the Solar system, including the Sun and the nearest planets. For the spacecraft with the simplest configuration, this problem can be solved analytically. In the real spacecraft there shall be simple heat-sensitive elements with weak thermal bond with the spacecraft and high sensitivity to the changing outer thermal conditions. The experiment has proved that the accuracy of orientation determination with the use of such temperature measurement reaches 5 ang. min at the rotation velocity of the spacecraft up to 30 ang. deg/min.

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References

  1. L.V. Kozlov, M.D. Nusinov et al., Modelling of Thermal Modes of the Spacecraft and Its Environment, G.I. Petrov (Ed.), Mashinostroenie, Moscow, 1971.

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  2. N.P. Semena, V.N. Angarov, and A.V. Kaluzhny, Thermoregulation system of the microsatellite “Kolibri-2000”, in: Coll. Papers of III Int. Conf. “Small Satellite, New Technologies, Miniaturization, Areas of Efficient Application in XXI Century”, Korolev, Moscow Region, May 27–31, 2002, P. 287–293.

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  4. N.P. Semena, V.I. Kostenko, and S.P. Logvinenko, Determination of the Spacecraft Angular Position by Temperature Measurements of Thermosensitive Plates, RF Patent No. 2126137, 10 February, 1999.

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  1. Space Research Institute RAS, Moscow, Russia

    N. P. Semena

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  1. N. P. Semena
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Correspondence to N. P. Semena.

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Semena, N.P. Determination of spacecraft orientation by the temperature field analysis of its outer surface. Thermophys. Aeromech. 16, 129–140 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11510-009-0013-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11510-009-0013-y

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