File:Pointing mechanism for electric thruster ESA385735.jpg
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Summary
[edit]DescriptionPointing mechanism for electric thruster ESA385735.jpg |
English: A prototype pointing mechanism for electric thrusters, on display at ESA’s technical centre in Noordwijk, the Netherlands.
The latest generation of ‘all electric’ satellites can efficiently use the low force generated by their thrusters to change or maintain orbital position in addition to managing their pointing direction, or attitude. This flexibility of function is achieved through the precise positioning delivered by the pointing mechanism. It orients the electric thruster for attitude control or manoeuvres, during thruster firings that may last from a few hours to several months. Initially, the mechanism secures the thruster in a compact stowed position for launch. Once in orbit, its locks are released. Checks are then performed to ensure full range of movement is reached and that drive electronics and integrated sensors are functioning correctly, leaving it ready to support thruster operations over the mission lifetime. The mechanism seen here supports up to two 5 kW thrusters and their electrical harness and propellant feed lines. Its design minimises mass, isolates the thruster from launch stresses, manages temperature extremes in orbit and provides accurate pointing. Electric propulsion offers a variety of advantages for space missions. Developed through ESA’s research and development programmes, this pointing mechanism has contributed to the readiness of a new generation of fully electric satellites. It was also the precursor of the mechanisms on ESA’s BepiColombo mission to Mercury – see them in operation here. |
Date | |
Source | http://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2017/10/Pointing_mechanism_for_electric_thruster |
Author | European Space Agency |
Permission (Reusing this file) |
ESA–G. Porter,CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO |
Title InfoField | Pointing mechanism for electric thruster |
Set InfoField | Technology image of the week |
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current | 15:56, 27 October 2017 | ![]() | 1,024 × 768 (421 KB) | Fæ (talk | contribs) | European Space Agency, Id 385735, http://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2017/10/Pointing_mechanism_for_electric_thruster, User:Fæ/Project_list/ESA |
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Orientation | Normal |
Number of components | 3 |
Horizontal resolution | 72 dpi |
Vertical resolution | 72 dpi |
Software used | Adobe Photoshop CC 2014 (Macintosh) |
File change date and time | 11:43, 26 October 2017 |
Y and C positioning | Centered |
Exif version | 2.21 |
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Unique ID of original document | 4D999EE60ABB0B1C67209E21BBAC91CB |
Date and time of digitizing | 13:36, 26 October 2017 |
Date metadata was last modified | 13:43, 26 October 2017 |