Inventors:
John Hutton Cooper - Mountain View CA
Assignee:
The Boeing Company - Chicago IL
International Classification:
B64G 124
Abstract:
Spacecraft maneuvers (e. g. , orbit transferring, stationkeeping and attitude controlling) of a first spacecraft are realized with conventional force and torque generators (e. g. , thrusters and momentum wheels). Spacecraft maneuvers of a second spacecraft are realized through magnetic interaction between the first and second spacecraft using a closed loop control system. In particular, a magnetic moment vector m of a magnetic system of the first spacecraft and a magnetic moment vector m of a magnetic system of the second spacecraft are adjusted to apply selected force vectors and torque vectors to the first and second spacecraft using a closed loop control system.