Patent Publication Number: US-2023140644-A1

Title: A spacecraft attitude control system and a spacecraft comprising such an attitude control system

Description:
The present invention relates to a spacecraft attitude control system. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a spacecraft attitude control system comprising at least one spacecraft attitude control device, the spacecraft attitude control device comprising first and second magnets having magnetic moments extending in opposite directions, at least one of the magnets being connected to a rotation mechanism adapted to rotate the magnet about first and second non parallel axes. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention also relates to a spacecraft attitude control system comprising at least one spacecraft attitude control device, the spacecraft attitude control device comprising first and second magnets, the first magnet being connected to a first rotation mechanism for rotating the first magnet about a first axis and the second magnet being connected to a second rotation mechanism for rotating the second magnet about a second axis, the first axis and second axis not being parallel. 
     Spacecraft such as satellites often include magnetic components. Such magnetic components can include magnets having a dipole moment used to correctly orient the spacecraft in the earth&#39;s magnetic field. Such magnetic components can also include shield magnets which are arranged to divert ionising radiation away from the spacecraft. All such magnetic components produce a magnetic field which surrounds the spacecraft. 
     If the spacecraft experiences an external magnetic field, for example at a plasma shock barrier, then this external field will alter the shape of the magnetic field surrounding the spacecraft. This can produce an unwanted magnetic dipole moment and hence an unwanted torque on the spacecraft. A similar problem can arise if the magnetic components are misaligned which may only become apparent after launch. 
     The present invention seeks to overcome the problems of the prior art. 
     Accordingly, in a first aspect, the present invention provides a spacecraft attitude control system comprising
         at least one attitude control device, the at least one attitude control device comprising
           first and second magnets having magnetic dipole moments M 1  and M 2  respectively, each magnet comprising a north pole face and a south pole face;   the magnets 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 being connected to a rotation mechanism, the rotation mechanism being adapted to rotate the first magnet about first and second axes, none of the first axis, second axis and magnetic dipole moment of the first magnet being parallel to the other.   
               

     The spacecraft attitude control system according to the invention is able to produce a magnetic torque which can correct for the effects of an external magnetic field or misalignment of the magnetic components. 
     Preferably the magnitude of M 1  is equal to the magnitude of M 2 . 
     Preferably for each magnet the angle between its magnetic dipole moment and the length axis is less than 25 degrees, more preferably less than 15 degrees, more preferably less than 10 degrees. 
     Preferably the first and second axes, are normal to each other. 
     Preferably the first and second axes lie in a plane normal to the length axis. 
     Preferably the rotation mechanism comprises a dual axis gimbal mechanism. 
     Alternatively the rotation mechanism comprises a support plate spaced apart from the first magnet and a plurality of spaced apart linear actuators extending between the first magnet and support plate. 
     Alternatively, the rotation mechanism comprises 
     a support plate, the magnet being pivotally connected to the support plate; 
     the support plate being adapted to rotate about the second axis; 
     the rotation mechanism further comprising at least one linear actuator extending between the support plate and magnet and spaced apart from the pivot, the at least one linear actuator being arranged such that extension or contraction of the linear actuator causes the magnet to pivot at the pivot and so rotate about the first axis. 
     Preferably the support plate lies in a plane substantially normal to the length axis and the second axis extends along the length axis. 
     Alternatively, the support plate lies in a plane inclined to the length axis and the second axis is inclined to the length axis. 
     Preferably at least one linear actuator is a piezoelectric linear actuator. 
     Preferably the second magnet is held in fixed relation to the length axis. 
     Preferably the magnetic moment M 2  of the second magnet extends along the length axis. 
     Alternatively, the second magnet is connected to a second rotation mechanism, the second rotation mechanism being adapted to rotate the second magnet about third and fourth axes, none of the third axis, fourth axis and magnetic moment of the second magnet being parallel. 
     Alternatively, the second magnet is connected to a second rotation mechanism, the second rotation mechanism being adapted to rotate the second magnet about a single axis only. 
     Preferably the spacecraft attitude control system further comprises a magnetometer adapted to measure a magnetic field; and, 
     a controller connected to the magnetometer and at least one rotation mechanism and adapted to control the orientation of the at least one rotation mechanism in response to the magnetic field measured by the magnetometer. 
     Preferably at least one magnet is a rod. 
     Preferably at least one magnet is a disk. 
     Preferably the spacecraft attitude control system further comprises a radiation shield surrounding the first and second magnets. 
     Preferably the radiation shield comprises a plurality, of shield magnets arranged in a magnetic multipole such that in the absence of an external magnetic field the shield magnets provide no overall dipole moment. 
     In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a spacecraft attitude control system comprising
         at least one attitude control device, the attitude control device comprising
           first and second magnets having magnetic dipole moments M 1  and M 2  respectively, each magnet comprising a north pole face and a south pole face;   the magnets 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 being connected to a first rotation mechanism, the first rotation mechanism being adapted to rotate the first magnet about a first axis not parallel to the first magnetic moment;   the second magnet being connected to a second rotation mechanism, the second rotation mechanism being adapted to rotate the second magnet about a second axis not parallel to the second magnetic moment;   the first axis being not parallel to the second axis when viewed along the length axis.   
               

     Preferably the first and second axes lie in parallel planes. 
     Preferably the parallel planes are normal to the length axis. 
     Preferably the first and second axes are normal to each other when viewed along the length axis. 
     Preferably the magnitude of M 1  is equal to the magnitude of M 2 . 
     Preferably for each magnet the angle between its magnetic dipole moment and the length axis is less than 25 degrees, more preferably less than 15 degrees, more preferably less than 10 degrees. 
     Preferably at least one rotation mechanism comprises a gimbal mechanism, preferably a single axis gimbal mechanism. 
     Preferably at least one rotation mechanism comprises an axle adapted to rotate about one axis only. 
     Preferably at least one rotation mechanism comprises a support plate spaced apart from its associated magnet and a plurality of spaced apart linear actuators extending between the magnet and support plate. 
     Preferably at least one rotation mechanism comprises a support plate, the associated magnet being pivotally connected to the support plate; 
     the rotation mechanism further comprising at least one linear actuator extending between the support plate and magnet and spaced apart from the pivot, the linear actuator being arranged such that extension or contraction of the linear actuator causes the magnet to pivot about the pivot. 
     Preferably at least one linear actuator is a piezoelectric actuator. 
     Preferably the spacecraft attitude control system as further comprises a magnetometer adapted to measure a magnetic field; and, 
     a controller connected to the magnetometer and the rotation mechanisms and adapted to control the orientation of the rotation mechanisms in response to the magnetic field measured by the magnetometer. 
     Preferably at least one magnet is a rod. 
     Preferably at least one magnet is a disk. 
     Preferably the spacecraft attitude control system further comprises a radiation shield surrounding the first and second magnets. 
     Preferably the radiation shield comprises a plurality of shield magnets arranged in a magnetic multipole such that in the absence of an external magnetic field the shield magnets provide no overall dipole moment. 
     Preferably the spacecraft attitude control system comprises a plurality of attitude control devices, the length axis of at least one attitude control device being inclined, preferably normal, to the length axis of at least one other attitude control device. 
     Preferably the spacecraft attitude control system comprises first and second attitude control devices, the length axis of one being normal to the length axis of the other. 
     In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a spacecraft comprising a spacecraft attitude control system as claimed in any one of claims  1  to  38 . 
     Preferably the spacecraft is a satellite. 
    
    
     
       The present invention will now be described by way of example only and not in any limitative sense with reference to the accompanying drawings in which 
         FIG.  1    shows, in schematic form, a first embodiment of a spacecraft attitude control system according to the invention; 
         FIG.  2    shows a further embodiment of a spacecraft attitude control system according to the invention; 
         FIG.  3    shows a further embodiment of a spacecraft attitude control system according to the invention; 
         FIG.  4    shows a further embodiment of a spacecraft attitude control system according to the invention; 
         FIGS.  5 ( a ) and  5 ( b )  show a first embodiment of a rotation mechanism for use with a spacecraft attitude control system according to the invention and a variant thereof; 
         FIG.  6    shows a further embodiment of a rotation mechanism for use with a spacecraft attitude control system according to the invention; 
         FIG.  7    shows a further embodiment of a rotation mechanism for use with a spacecraft attitude control system according to the invention; 
         FIG.  8    shows a further embodiment of a rotation mechanism for use with a spacecraft attitude control system according to the invention; 
         FIGS.  9 ( a ) and  9 ( b )  show further embodiments of a rotation mechanism for use with a spacecraft attitude control system according to the invention; 
         FIG.  10    shows a further embodiment of a spacecraft attitude control system according to the invention; 
         FIG.  11    shows a further embodiment of a spacecraft attitude control system according to the invention; and, 
         FIG.  12    shows a further embodiment of a spacecraft attitude control system according to the invention comprising a plurality of attitude control devices. 
     
    
    
     Shown in  FIG.  1   , in schematic form, is a first embodiment of a spacecraft attitude control system  1  according to the invention and which comprises a single attitude control device  2 . The attitude control device  2  comprises first and second permanent magnets  3 , 4 . Each permanent magnet  3 , 4  is a disk magnet. Each permanent magnet  3 , 4  comprises a north pole face and a south pole face and has a magnetic field extending between the two. The first magnet  3  has a magnetic moment M 1  extending from its south pole face to its north pole face as shown. The second magnet  4  has a magnetic moment M 2 . In this embodiment the magnitude of M 1  is equal to the magnitude of M 2 . 
     The first and second magnets  3 , 4  are spaced apart along a length axis  5  by a gap  6 . Each magnet  3 , 4  has a closest pole face which is the pole face closest to the other magnet. The magnets  3 , 4  are arranged such that the closest faces are of the same pole as shown. An alternative way of expressing this is that the magnets  3 , 4  are arranged such that the magnetic moment for each magnet  3 , 4  extends in substantially the opposite direction to the magnetic moment of the other magnet  3 , 4 . 
     The first magnet  3  is connected to a rotation mechanism  7 . The rotation mechanism  7  is adapted to rotate the first magnet  3  about first and second axes  8 , 9 . As can be seen none of the first axis  8 , second axis  9  and magnetic moment M 1  of the first magnet  3  are parallel to each other. In this particular embodiment the first axis  8  and second axis  9  lie in a plane which is normal to the length axis  5  and are normal to each other. 
     The second magnet  4  is held in fixed relation to the length axis  5 . In this embodiment the magnetic moment M 2  of the second magnet  4  extends along the length axis  5 . 
     In use the spacecraft attitude control system  1  is attached to the body of a spacecraft. In  FIG.  1    the spacecraft attitude control system  1  is shown in an initial configuration. In this configuration the magnetic moments M 1  and M 2  point directly towards each other along the length axis  5 . When in this configuration if the spacecraft is exposed to an external uniform magnetic field then the torques of the two magnets  3 , 4  cancel each other out and to the spacecraft attitude control system  1  exerts no overall torque on the satellite. 
     As discussed above, when a spacecraft is exposed, to an external magnetic field this results in the spacecraft experiencing a torque which will cause the spacecraft to roll. In order to compensate for this the rotation mechanism  7  rotates the first magnet  3  about at least one of the first and second axes  8 , 9  to slightly misalign the magnetic moments M 1  and M 2 . The torques on the first and second magnets  3 , 4  due to the external magnetic field no longer exactly cancel and so the spacecraft attitude control system  1  now exerts an overall torque on the spacecraft. By correctly aligning the first magnet  3  with respect to the second magnet  4  this overall torque can be arranged to cancel the torque on the spacecraft due to the external magnetic field so stabilising the spacecraft. 
     In alternative applications the spacecraft attitude control system  1  can cancel the torque on the spacecraft due to misalignment of magnetic components in the spacecraft. It can also be used to rotate the spacecraft to any desired orientation around the axis of the external magnetic field. 
     In the embodiment of  FIG.  1    the magnets  3 , 4  are permanent disk magnets. The magnets  3 , 4  can be of other shapes. The magnets  3 , 4  could for example be rods, cubes or rhomboids. Other shapes of magnets  3 , 4  are possible. Typically, both magnets  3 , 4  are of the same shape although can be different shapes. The magnets  3 , 4  can be permanent magnets. Alternatively, they can be electromagnets. 
     Shown in  FIG.  2    is an alternative embodiment of a spacecraft attitude control system  1  according to the invention. This embodiment is similar to that of  FIG.  1    comprising a single attitude control device  2 . However, in this embodiment the second magnet  4  is connected to a second rotation mechanism  7 . The second rotation mechanism  7  is adapted to rotate the second magnet  4  about third and fourth axes  10 , 11  respectively. None of the third and fourth axes  10 , 11  and the second magnetic moment M 2  are parallel. In this embodiment the third and fourth axes  10 , 11  lie in a plane normal to the length axis  5  and are normal to each other. In alternative embodiments the plane may be inclined to the length axis  5 . In this embodiment the third axis  10  is parallel to the first axis  8  and the fourth axis  11  is parallel to the second axis  9  although in other embodiments they may be inclined to each other. 
     Shown in  FIG.  3    is a further embodiment of a spacecraft attitude control system  1  according to the invention. Again, this is similar to the embodiment of  FIG.  1    except in this embodiment the second magnet  4  is connected to a second rotation mechanism  7  adapted to rotate the second magnet  4  about a third axis  10  only. In this embodiment the third axis  10  lies in a plane normal to the length axis  5  although in alternative embodiments the plane may be inclined to the length axis  5 . In this embodiment the third axis  10  is parallel to the first axis  8  although in alternative embodiments it may be inclined to the first axis  8 . 
     Shown in  FIG.  4    is a further embodiment of a spacecraft attitude control system  1  according to the invention. Again, this embodiment of a spacecraft attitude control system  1  comprises a single attitude control device  2 . In this embodiment the first magnet  3  is connected to a first rotation mechanism  7  adapted to rotate the first magnet  3  about a first axis  8  only. The first axis  8  is inclined to the magnetic moment M 1  of the first magnet  3 . The second axis  9  is inclined to the magnetic moment M 2  of the second magnet  4 . in this embodiment both the first and second axes  8 , 9  lie in planes normal to the length axis  5  although in other embodiments one or both planes may be inclined to the length axis  5 . The first and second axes  8 , 9  are not parallel when viewed along the length axis  5 . In this embodiment one is normal to the other when viewed along the length axis  5 . In use the two magnets  3 , 4  can be pivoted about their respective axes independently of each other to produce a torque in the desired direction. 
     A number of different rotation mechanisms  7  for producing rotation of an attached magnet about one or two axes are possible. The degree of rotation required may be (although is not necessarily) small such that the angle between the magnetic dipole moment of the magnet and the length axis is less than 25 degrees, more preferably less than 15 degrees, more preferably less than 10 degrees. 
     Shown in  FIG.  5 ( a )  is a first embodiment of a rotation mechanism  7  for rotating a magnet  3 , 4  about a single axis only for use with a spacecraft attitude control system  1  according to the invention. The rotation mechanism  7  comprises a single axis gimbal mechanism  12  which holds the magnet  3 , 4 .  FIG.  5 ( b )  shows a variant of this and comprises an axle  13  attached to the magnet  3 , 4 . 
     Shown in  FIG.  6    is a further embodiment of a rotation mechanism  7  for rotating a magnet  3 , 4  about a single axis only for use with a spacecraft attitude control system  1  according to the invention. The rotation mechanism  7  comprises a support plate  14 . Extending between the support plate  14  and magnet  3 , 4  are a pair of linear actuators  15 . By extending one actuator  15  and contracting the other the magnet  3 , 4  can be rotated around the axis as shown. 
     Shown in  FIG.  7    is an embodiment of a rotation mechanism  7  for rotating a magnet  3 , 4  about first and second axes  8 , 9  for use with a spacecraft attitude control system  1  according to the invention. The rotation mechanism  7  comprises a two-axis gimbal mechanism  16  which holds the magnet  3 , 4  as shown. The two axes of the gimbal mechanism  16  are aligned with the first and second axes  8 , 9 . 
     Shown in  FIG.  8    is a further embodiment of a rotation mechanism  7  for rotating a magnet  3 , 4  about first and second axes  8 , 9  for use with a spacecraft attitude control system  1  according to the invention. The rotation mechanism  7  comprises a support plate  14 . The rotation mechanism  7  further comprises a plurality of linear actuators  15 , preferably piezoelectric linear actuators extending between the support plate  14  and magnet  3 , 4  as shown. By extending one linear actuator  15  and contracting the opposite linear actuator  15  the magnet  3 , 4  can be made to rotate about an axis normal to a line passing through the two actuators  15 . The support plate  14  is typically arranged in a plane normal to the length axis  5  although in alternative embodiments may be inclined to the length axis  5 . 
     Shown in  FIG.  9 ( a )  is a further embodiment of a rotation mechanism  7  for rotating a magnet  3 , 4  about a first axis  8  only for use with a spacecraft attitude control system  1  according to the invention. The rotation mechanism  7  comprises a support plate  14 . Pivotally connected to the support plate  14  is the magnet  3 , 4 . The axis  8  of the pivot  17  is aligned with the first axis  8 . The rotation mechanism  7  further comprises at least one (in this case two) linear actuators  15 , typically a piezoelectric linear actuator extending between the support plate  14  and magnet  3 , 4  and spaced apart from the pivot  17 . The linear actuators  15  are arranged such that extension or contraction of the linear actuators  15  causes the magnet  3 , 4  to, pivot at the pivot  17  and so rotate about the first axis  8 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  9 ( a )  the support plate  14  is arranged normal to the length axis  5 . As the magnet  3 , 4  is inclined to the support plate  14  the magnetic moment M of the magnet  3 , 4  is inclined to the length axis  5 . In an alternative embodiment of the invention the support plate lies  14  in a plane inclined to the length axis  5  so that the magnet  3 , 4  can be pivoted to a position where its magnetic moment lies along the length axis  5  as shown in  FIG.  9 ( b ) . 
     In a variant of the rotation mechanism  7  of  FIGS.  9 ( a ) and  9 ( b )  the support plate  14  is adapted to rotate about the second axis  9  which passes through the support plate  14  normal to the support plate  14 . The second axis  14  may extend along the length axis  5  or may be inclined thereto. 
     Shown in  FIG.  10    is a further embodiment of a spacecraft attitude control system  1  according to the invention. The embodiment of  FIG.  10    is similar to that of  FIG.  1    and comprises a single attitude control device  2 . The spacecraft attitude control system  1  further comprises a magnetometer  18  and a controller  19 . The controller  19  is connected to the magnetometer  18  and rotation mechanism  7 . In use the magnetometer  18  measures the magnetic field along at least one axis, more preferably along at least two axes, more preferably three axes. The measurement is passed to the controller  19 . From this measurement the controller  19  determines the desired orientation of the first magnet  3  to cancel the effect of the external magnetic field and rotates the rotation mechanism  7  to bring the first magnet  3  to the desired orientation. If the rotation mechanism  7  is a gimbal mechanism  12 , 16  then the controller  19  comprises a motor which rotates the gimbal mechanism  12 , 16 . If the rotation mechanism  7  comprises one or more piezoelectric actuators  15  then the controller  19  is adapted to provide the appropriate voltages to the piezoelectric actuators  15 . 
     Shown in  FIG.  11    is a further embodiment of a spacecraft attitude control system  1  according to the invention. This embodiment is similar to that of  FIG.  10    except it further comprises a radiation shield  20  surrounding the first and second magnets  3 , 4  of the attitude control device  2 . The radiation shield  20  comprises a plurality of shield magnets  21  arranged in a magnetic multipole such that in the absence of an external field the shield magnets  21  provide no overall dipole moment. The shield magnets  21  provide a shielding magnetic field which diverts ionising radiation away from the sensitive electronics on the spacecraft. In this embodiment the shield magnets  21  are arranged as a magnetic quadrupole. In alternative embodiments higher order multipoles are possible such as octopoles or hexapoles. As discussed above, these shield magnets  21  can become misaligned causing an unwanted magnetic torque on the spacecraft. The spacecraft attitude control system  1  according to the invention can correct for this. 
     Shown in  FIG.  12    is a further embodiment of a spacecraft attitude control system  1  according to the invention. In this embodiment the spacecraft attitude control system  1  comprises first and second attitude control devices  2 . Each attitude control device  2  is identical to the attitude control device  2  of  FIG.  1    i.e. it comprises first and second magnets  3 , 4  spaced apart along a length axis  5  with the first magnet  3  adapted to rotate about two axes  8 , 9  and the second magnet  4  fixed. The two length axes  5  are normal to each other. Employing two attitude control devices  2  gives a greater degree of control over the orientation of the spacecraft in an external magnetic field. 
     In alternative embodiments of the invention one or both of the attitude control devices  2  of the system of  FIG.  10    is replaced by an attitude control device  2  as shown in any of  FIGS.  2  to  4   . 
     In alternative embodiments of the invention the attitude control system  1  comprises a larger number N of attitude control devices  2 . It could for example comprise 4, 8 or 16 attitude control devices  2 . Typically N is even. 
     In further embodiments of the invention which comprise multiple attitude control devices  2  the length axes  5  of the attitude control devices  2  are inclined relative to each other at angles other than 90 degrees. The length axes  5  may or may not be coplanar.