Patent ID: 6288670
Filing Date: 2001-09-11
Classification: B64G

Abstract:
A method of steering a satellite antenna mounted to a satellite having a pitch axis, a roll axis, and a yaw axis, the satellite traveling in an orbit around a rotating object, the orbit having an inclination and an ascending node, the method comprising the steps of:determining a curvature of trajectories induced by the antenna;determining an angular distance of the satellite from the ascending node;determining an inclination of the orbit;determining a time in the orbit from the ascending node;determining a period of the orbit;determining a period of the rotation of the object;steering the antenna about the roll axis by a first angle, wherein the first angle is a function of the curvature of trajectories induced by the antenna and the angular distance of the satellite from the ascending node; andsteering the antenna about the yaw axis by a second angle, wherein the second angle is a function of the inclination of the orbit, the time in the orbit from the ascending node, the period of the orbit, and the period of the rotation of the object.