Invention Grant
- Patent Title: Asymmetric thruster gimbal configuration
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Application No.: US15467612Application Date: 2017-03-23
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Publication No.: US10464694B1Publication Date: 2019-11-05
- Inventor: Robert Erik Schwarz , Jason J. Chiang , Xenophon H. Price , Darren R. Stratemeier , Eric V. Werner
- Applicant: Space Systems/Loral, LLC
- Applicant Address: US CA Palo Alto
- Assignee: Space Systems/Loral, LLC
- Current Assignee: Space Systems/Loral, LLC
- Current Assignee Address: US CA Palo Alto
- Agency: Weaver Austin Villeneuve & Sampson LLP
- Main IPC: B64G1/00
- IPC: B64G1/00 ; B64G1/24

Abstract:
A spacecraft includes at least a first thruster support mechanism (TSM) and a second TSM, each TSM including a pointing arrangement, an elongated structural member and thruster for performing orbit raising north-south stationkeeping, east-west stationkeeping, and momentum management. A first pointing arrangement is articulable only by way of first and second revolute joints, the first revolute joint being rotatable about a first axis fixed with respect to the spacecraft. The second pointing arrangement is articulable only by way of third and fourth revolute joints, the third revolute joint being rotatable about a third axis fixed with respect to the spacecraft. The first axis and the third axis are asymmetrically arranged with respect to a spacecraft coordinate system origin such that the first and third axis are at acute angles to a spacecraft pitch axis and the acute angle of the first axis is less than that of the third axis.
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